1998 Saab 9-3 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,219 MOT tests analysed for the 1998 Saab 9-3, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension. Its pass rate of 74.3% was below the average for executive cars of a similar age (76.8%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 33.7% in the 150k+ group versus 13.6% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.3% | 295 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.4% | 231 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.5% | 210 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.2% | 182 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 6.1% | 136 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.1% | 114 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 168 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 119 |
| 3 | Prescribed areas | 117 |
| 4 | Exhaust system | 105 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 101 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 89 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 31.3% | 695 |
| 2 | Suspension | 27.3% | 606 |
| 3 | Tyres | 24.6% | 545 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 20.4% | 452 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.8% | 440 |
| 6 | Other defects | 14.1% | 312 |
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 | 125 | 13.6% |
| 60-90k | 512 | 21.7% |
| 90-120k | 705 | 24.7% |
| 120-150k | 543 | 29.5% |
| 150k+ | 315 | 33.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 597 | 26.8% |
| 2022 | 539 | 25.6% |
| 2023 | 434 | 27.0% |
| 2024 | 351 | 24.2% |
| 2025 | 298 | 23.8% |
What to check before buying a 1998 9-3
Before buying a 1998 Saab 9-3, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 13.3% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (13.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (10.4% 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.
- Suspension (9.5% 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.
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 1998 Saab 9-3s pass their MOT?
74.3% of the 2,219 1998 Saab 9-3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 Saab 9-3?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.3% of tests, followed by brakes (10.4%).
Does the 1998 9-3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.6% in the 30-60k band to 33.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,219 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.