Saab 9 3 (1999)
1999 Saab 9 3
CarHunch analysed 9,032 real MOT records for the 1999 Saab 9 3. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
What to check before buying a 1999 Saab 9 3
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 25.1% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Saab 9 3
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (93%) | 8,355 | 71.9% | 3.61 |
| Diesel (7%) | 664 | 71% | 3.18 |
| LPG (0%) | 9 | 76.3% | 2.89 |
| Other (0%) | 3 | 89.4% | 0.67 |
| Electric (0%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1999 Saab 9 3 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 1999 Saab 9 3 vehicles fall between 79,499 and 120,507 miles.
1999 Saab 9 3 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 445 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (11% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1999 Saab 9 3
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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58%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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53.9%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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48%
Oil leak
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37.2%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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36.5%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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34.9%
Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated
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33.2%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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28%
Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A'
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1999. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Saab 9 3?
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