Saab 9 5 (1998)
1998 Saab 9 5
CarHunch analysed 5,199 real MOT records for the 1998 Saab 9 5. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
What to check before buying a 1998 Saab 9 5
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.
- 📄 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 5
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (100%) | 5,175 | 71.2% | 2.32 |
| Diesel (0%) | 11 | 78.1% | 1.91 |
| LPG (0%) | 11 | 71.5% | 3.36 |
| Other (0%) | 2 | 61.4% | 2 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1998 Saab 9 5 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 1998 Saab 9 5 vehicles fall between 93,989 and 137,023 miles.
1998 Saab 9 5 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 63 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (6% 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 — 1998 Saab 9 5
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
79%
Oil leak
-
53.5%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
50.2%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
48.2%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
43.3%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
35.6%
Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated
-
26.6%
Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A'
-
22.6%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1998. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Saab 9 5?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.