2003 Saab 9-5 — MOT failures & pass rate
3,709 MOT tests on the 2003 Saab 9-5 are in this dataset, and 73.2% of them passed. Executive cars of a similar age fail 24.4% of the time, so this is 2.4pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 17.2% of all tests — 5.0 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and component mounting prescribed areas — headlamp aim alone was recorded 363 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 19.7% in the 30-60k band and 30.0% in the 150k+ band, a 10.4-point spread.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 3.1pp more often than petrol ones (29.4% vs 26.3%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 39.3% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.2% | 638 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.2% | 453 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.5% | 316 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 6.7% | 248 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.5% | 206 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.3% | 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 | 363 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 316 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 250 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 220 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 174 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 171 |
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 | 39.3% | 1,458 |
| 2 | Brakes | 35.3% | 1,310 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 27.5% | 1,020 |
| 4 | Tyres | 25.8% | 958 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 18.6% | 690 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.5% | 649 |
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 | 127 | 19.7% |
| 60-90k | 435 | 19.8% |
| 90-120k | 903 | 24.0% |
| 120-150k | 1,070 | 29.3% |
| 150k+ | 1,165 | 30.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 3,134 | 26.3% |
| Diesel | 575 | 29.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,055 | 26.5% |
| 2022 | 876 | 28.2% |
| 2023 | 708 | 26.1% |
| 2024 | 603 | 27.4% |
| 2025 | 467 | 25.1% |
What to check before buying a 2003 9-5
On a 2003 9-5, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (17.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.2% 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 (8.5% 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 2003 Saab 9-5s pass their MOT?
73.2% of the 3,709 2003 Saab 9-5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Saab 9-5?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.2% of tests, followed by suspension (12.2%).
Does the 2003 9-5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.7% in the 30-60k band to 30.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,709 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.