2002 Saab 9-5 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,418 MOT tests, the 2002 Saab 9-5 recorded a 72.6% pass rate. Executive cars of a similar age fail 24.3% of the time, so this is 3.1pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.3% of tests against 11.6% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and rigid brake pipes — headlamp aim alone was recorded 330 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 16.7% in the 30-60k band and 30.5% in the 150k+ band, a 13.9-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 40.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.3% | 593 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.6% | 397 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.6% | 327 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 6.4% | 220 |
| 5 | Tyres | 6.2% | 213 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.7% | 196 |
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 | 330 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 276 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 183 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 177 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 140 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 130 |
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 | 40.4% | 1,380 |
| 2 | Brakes | 36.3% | 1,241 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 31.1% | 1,064 |
| 4 | Tyres | 25.4% | 869 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 18.8% | 641 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.8% | 540 |
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 | 162 | 16.7% |
| 60-90k | 553 | 22.6% |
| 90-120k | 833 | 27.3% |
| 120-150k | 891 | 29.2% |
| 150k+ | 950 | 30.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 3,053 | 27.1% |
| Diesel | 365 | 29.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,006 | 29.1% |
| 2022 | 800 | 26.1% |
| 2023 | 605 | 24.3% |
| 2024 | 562 | 29.0% |
| 2025 | 445 | 27.6% |
What to check before buying a 2002 9-5
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 17.3% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (17.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.6% 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 (9.6% 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 2002 Saab 9-5s pass their MOT?
72.6% of the 3,418 2002 Saab 9-5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Saab 9-5?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.3% of tests, followed by suspension (11.6%).
Does the 2002 9-5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.7% in the 30-60k band to 30.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,418 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.