2001 Saab 9-5 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,480 MOT tests, the 2001 Saab 9-5 recorded a 76.9% pass rate. Executive cars of a similar age fail at 24.1%, so the 2001 9-5 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (12.6%) and suspension (10.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, pins and bushes and headlamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 112 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 27.1% versus 14.9%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 39.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 24.4% in 2021 to 22.2% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.6% | 313 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.0% | 249 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.7% | 190 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.1% | 152 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.7% | 141 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.5% | 137 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 112 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 108 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 105 |
| 4 | Prescribed areas | 94 |
| 5 | Wipers | 89 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 80 |
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 | 39.2% | 973 |
| 2 | Brakes | 35.4% | 877 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 28.1% | 697 |
| 4 | Tyres | 25.2% | 624 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.0% | 397 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 13.2% | 328 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 141 | 14.9% |
| 60-90k | 421 | 19.2% |
| 90-120k | 615 | 21.1% |
| 120-150k | 648 | 25.3% |
| 150k+ | 645 | 27.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 2,449 | 23.2% |
| Diesel | 31 | 16.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 697 | 24.4% |
| 2022 | 582 | 25.6% |
| 2023 | 457 | 18.8% |
| 2024 | 411 | 22.9% |
| 2025 | 333 | 22.2% |
What to check before buying a 2001 9-5
On a 2001 9-5, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 12.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (12.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.0% 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 (7.7% 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.
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 2001 Saab 9-5s pass their MOT?
76.9% of the 2,480 2001 Saab 9-5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Saab 9-5?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.6% of tests, followed by suspension (10.0%).
Does the 2001 9-5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.9% in the 30-60k band to 27.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,480 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.