Saab 9 3 (2002)
2002 Saab 9 3
CarHunch analysed 8,113 real MOT records for the 2002 Saab 9 3. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 3.7 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2002 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.
- ⚠️ 32.9% 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 (73%) | 5,925 | 75.2% | 4.04 |
| Diesel (27%) | 2,179 | 71.5% | 4.12 |
| LPG (0%) | 6 | 75.9% | 3.33 |
| Other (0%) | 3 | 66.7% | 1 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2002 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 2002 Saab 9 3 vehicles fall between 65,658 and 99,405 miles.
2002 Saab 9 3 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 675 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (12% 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 — 2002 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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71.4%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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66.4%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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58.3%
Oil leak
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47.7%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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46.5%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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30.5%
Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A'
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27.2%
Oil leak, but not excessive
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24.2%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2002. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Saab 9 3?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.