Saab 9 5 (1999)
1999 Saab 9 5
CarHunch analysed 6,400 real MOT records for the 1999 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 1999 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.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (100%) | 6,373 | 73.2% | 2.83 |
| Diesel (0%) | 14 | 74.2% | 3.21 |
| LPG (0%) | 12 | 67.8% | 4.58 |
| Other (0%) | 1 | 87.5% | 1 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1999 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 1999 Saab 9 5 vehicles fall between 90,410 and 135,217 miles.
1999 Saab 9 5 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 158 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (8% 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 — 1999 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
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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
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43.3%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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35.6%
Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated
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26.6%
Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A'
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22.6%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1999. 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.