Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2011 Saab 9 3 Turbo Edition Ttid 160?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2011 Saab 9 3 Turbo Edition Ttid 160?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2011 Saab 9 3 Turbo Edition Ttid 160?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2011 Saab 9 3 Turbo Edition Ttid 160 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

21% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2011 Saab 9 3 Turbo Edition Ttid 160 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 237 vehicles, the 2011 Saab 9 3 Turbo Edition Ttid 160 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 81%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2011 Saab 9 3 Turbo Edition Ttid 160?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Saab 9 3 Turbo Edition Ttid 160 (2011)

237 real MOT outcomes analysed • 81% first-time pass rate

2011 Saab 9 3 Turbo Edition Ttid 160

CarHunch analysed 237 real MOT records for the 2011 Saab 9 3 Turbo Edition Ttid 160. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

This 2011 SAAB 9-3 Turbo is a significantly weaker performer than the UK average, with a first-time MOT pass rate of just 61.5% against the national benchmark of 80%. One in five examples have suffered a dangerous defect at some point, which is a genuine concern for a used buyer shopping in this age bracket.

The median mileage of 96,564 is reasonable for a 13-year-old car, but these vehicles are racking up 1.73 failures and 8.7 advisories per test on average—well above what you'd expect—suggesting serious issues with component durability or maintenance history. Before committing to a purchase, have a pre-buy inspection focus on the turbo system, cooling, and suspension; this model needs proof of recent major work to be worth the risk.

We have limited data for the 2011 Saab 9 3 Turbo Edition Ttid 160 — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

81%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

20.7%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.73

Over 8.1 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

97k

Middle half: 69k–118k

For context

These stats describe 237 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Average reliability — agree?

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 237 Saab 9 3 Turbo Edition Ttid 160 cars.

Before you buy a 2011 Saab 9 3 Turbo Edition Ttid 160

Based on MOT data from 237 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 20.7% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Diesel (99%)	234	81.1%	1.72

Colour Breakdown

Based on 291 Saab 9 3 Turbo Edition Ttid 160 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Black 31.3%

Grey 24.7%

Silver 23.7%

Blue 12.4%

White 5.8%

Red 2.1%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2011 Saab 9 3 Turbo Edition Ttid 160 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

96,564

typical

69,426

low mileage

118,200

high mileage

Half of all 2011 Saab 9 3 Turbo Edition Ttid 160 vehicles fall between 69,426 and 118,200 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 69,426 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 69,426–118,200 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2011 Saab 9 3 Turbo Edition Ttid 160s sit.

⚠ Over 159,570 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2011 Saab 9 3 Turbo Edition Ttid 160 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 68% of 2011 Saab 9 3 Turbo Edition Ttid 160s are still active.

95 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 68% of the peak remain.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

8.1

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.73

Avg failures per vehicle

8.7

Avg advisories per vehicle

Compare with another model

See how the 2011 Saab 9 3 Turbo Edition Ttid 160 stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?