Saab 9 3 (2011)

2,923 real MOT outcomes analysed • 79.9% first-time pass rate

2011 Saab 9 3

CarHunch analysed 2,923 real MOT records for the 2011 Saab 9 3. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Below average reliability In line with UK average
79.9%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
82,623
typical mileage
61,869–105,444 middle half
38.7%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
2.92
avg MOT failures per car
over 13.3 tests on record

What to check before buying a 2011 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.
  • ⚠️ 38.7% 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 (85%) 2,471 79.8% 2.92
Petrol (15%) 451 80.4% 2.93
LPG (0%) 1 85.7% 1

Mileage Distribution

Most 2011 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.

61,869
low mileage
82,623
typical
105,444
high mileage

Half of all 2011 Saab 9 3 vehicles fall between 61,869 and 105,444 miles.

2011 Saab 9 3 — Still on the Road

1,973 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 69% of the peak remain.

2,841 1,973 2014 2025

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

13.3
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
2.92
Avg failures per vehicle
16.1
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 2011 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.

  • 43.9%
    Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
  • 43.6%
    Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
  • 37.5%
    Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened
  • 31.4%
    Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 31.1%
    Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 27.2%
    Oil leak, but not excessive
  • 26.5%
    Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
  • 26.5%
    Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2011. 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.

UK

Other model years — Saab 9 3:

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2012