Saab 9 3 (2008)
2008 Saab 9 3
CarHunch analysed 12,764 real MOT records for the 2008 Saab 9 3. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2008 SAAB 9-3 falls short of the UK average with a 76.9% pass rate, and that's concerning given that 41.5% of these cars have recorded at least one dangerous defect during their MOT history—well above acceptable. Diesel versions perform slightly worse at 76.4% pass rate compared to petrol at 78.5%, though neither inspires confidence.
At 90,645 miles average, these 9-3s are running higher mileage than typical for a 2008, which explains why they average 3.69 failures and a hefty 18.7 advisories per test. Before buying one, get a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the suspension, braking system, and electrical components—the advisory count suggests wear-and-tear issues are widespread rather than isolated to a few bad examples.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 2.1 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2008 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.
- ⚠️ 41.5% 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.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (76%) | 9,642 | 76.4% | 3.67 |
| Petrol (24%) | 3,108 | 78.5% | 3.72 |
| LPG (0%) | 9 | 72.3% | 4.22 |
| Gas Bi-Fuel (0%) | 3 | 74.7% | 3.67 |
| Other (0%) | 2 | 68.1% | 4.5 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2008 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 2008 Saab 9 3 vehicles fall between 74,948 and 114,928 miles.
2008 Saab 9 3 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 4,679 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (40% 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 — 2008 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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60.7%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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58.1%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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40.7%
Oil leak, but not excessive
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38.1%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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37.1%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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36.2%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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35.2%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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28.7%
Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2008. 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.