2011 Saab 9-5 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2011 Saab 9-5 passed 81.9% of its 2,026 recorded MOT tests. Executive cars of a similar age fail 19.6% of the time, so this is 1.5pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.1% of tests against 7.1% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, coil spring and tread depth — position lamp alone was recorded 240 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 15.4% in the 0-30k band and 24.5% in the 150k+ band, a 9.2-point spread.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 26.4% 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 | 13.1% | 265 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.1% | 144 |
| 3 | Tyres | 4.5% | 92 |
| 4 | Brakes | 4.2% | 85 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.3% | 46 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.6% | 32 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 240 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 105 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 62 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 50 |
| 5 | Wipers | 38 |
| 6 | Rear fog lamp | 38 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 26.4% | 534 |
| 2 | Suspension | 19.3% | 390 |
| 3 | Brakes | 16.5% | 334 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 10.0% | 202 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 9.6% | 195 |
| 6 | Other defects | 8.8% | 179 |
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 | 65 | 15.4% |
| 30-60k | 189 | 12.7% |
| 60-90k | 507 | 16.8% |
| 90-120k | 568 | 15.5% |
| 120-150k | 357 | 21.3% |
| 150k+ | 265 | 24.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 1,625 | 18.6% |
| Petrol | 401 | 16.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 462 | 19.9% |
| 2022 | 430 | 18.1% |
| 2023 | 412 | 17.5% |
| 2024 | 373 | 15.8% |
| 2025 | 349 | 18.6% |
What to check before buying a 2011 9-5
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 13.1% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (13.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.1% 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.
- Tyres (4.5% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 9-5s pass their MOT?
81.9% of the 2,026 2011 Saab 9-5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Saab 9-5?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.1% of tests, followed by suspension (7.1%).
Does the 2011 9-5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.4% in the 0-30k band to 24.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,026 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.