Saab 9 3 (2005)
2005 Saab 9 3
CarHunch analysed 20,315 real MOT records for the 2005 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 2005 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.
- ⚠️ 36.5% 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.
CarHunch may earn a small commission if you buy via these links — at no extra cost to you.
Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (54%) | 11,013 | 74.1% | 3.69 |
| Petrol (46%) | 9,283 | 75.1% | 4.52 |
| LPG (0%) | 10 | 78.8% | 2.3 |
| Other (0%) | 8 | 77.1% | 0.75 |
| Electric (0%) | 1 | 70% | 3 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2005 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 2005 Saab 9 3 vehicles fall between 82,235 and 120,359 miles.
2005 Saab 9 3 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 2,625 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (15% 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 — 2005 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.
-
80.3%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
76.1%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
50.9%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
50.6%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
41.6%
Oil leak, but not excessive
-
34.1%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
-
31.8%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
-
25.4%
Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A'
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2005. 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.