2011 Saab 9'3 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2011 Saab 9'3 passed 76.6% of its 14,571 recorded MOT tests. That is 3.8 percentage points worse than executive cars of a similar age, which fail at 19.6%. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: suspension, recorded in 14.4% of tests against 6.1% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, service brake performance and tread depth — coil spring alone was recorded 1,455 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 12.8% in the 0-30k band and 27.3% in the 150k+ band, a 14.4-point spread — more than double.
The petrol cars hold up better: 21.1% fail against 23.9% for diesel, a 2.8-point gap across 14,571 tests.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 25.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 22.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 23.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 14.4% | 2,102 |
| 2 | Brakes | 6.1% | 890 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 5.6% | 817 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.9% | 713 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.9% | 421 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.5% | 367 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 1,455 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 364 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 349 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 285 |
| 5 | Linkage ball joints | 271 |
| 6 | Washers | 250 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 25.0% | 3,639 |
| 2 | Tyres | 24.6% | 3,589 |
| 3 | Brakes | 23.1% | 3,364 |
| 4 | Other defects | 8.7% | 1,267 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.0% | 1,161 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 7.9% | 1,149 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 265 | 12.8% |
| 30-60k | 1,618 | 17.2% |
| 60-90k | 3,638 | 21.6% |
| 90-120k | 3,939 | 24.2% |
| 120-150k | 2,844 | 25.9% |
| 150k+ | 2,265 | 27.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 12,011 | 23.9% |
| Petrol | 2,560 | 21.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,133 | 22.3% |
| 2022 | 3,114 | 23.6% |
| 2023 | 2,986 | 24.1% |
| 2024 | 2,749 | 23.1% |
| 2025 | 2,589 | 23.9% |
What to check before buying a 2011 9'3
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 14.4% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (14.4% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (6.1% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Lighting & signalling (5.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2011 Saab 9'3s pass their MOT?
76.6% of the 14,571 2011 Saab 9'3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Saab 9'3?
Suspension, recorded in 14.4% of tests, followed by brakes (6.1%).
Does the 2011 9'3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.8% in the 0-30k band to 27.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 14,571 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.