Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2001 Saab 9 5?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2001 Saab 9 5?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2001 Saab 9 5?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2001 Saab 9 5 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

21% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2001 Saab 9 5 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 5,558 vehicles, the 2001 Saab 9 5 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 76.2%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2001 Saab 9 5?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2001 Saab 9 5 are: Oil leak (77.1% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (71.9% of vehicles), Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (66.5% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2001 Saab 9 5?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Saab 9 5 (2001)

5,558 real MOT outcomes analysed • 76.2% first-time pass rate

2001 Saab 9 5

CarHunch analysed 5,558 real MOT records for the 2001 Saab 9 5. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2001 SAAB 9-5 falls short of the UK average by 4 percentage points, with a 76% first-time pass rate, and one in five examples have recorded dangerous defects—a genuine concern for a buyer. Both petrol and diesel variants struggle equally, posting pass rates of 76.1% and 74.2% respectively.

These cars are running at around 100,000 miles on average, which is reasonable for their age, but they're racking up serious maintenance bills: the typical MOT uncovers over 3 failures and 18 advisories per test, suggesting wear-and-tear compounds quickly once problems start. Before committing to one, obtain a full service history and have an independent SAAB specialist inspect the braking system and suspension in detail—the failure count points to those areas wearing hard.

The 2001 Saab 9 5 passes its MOT first time at roughly the UK average rate (76.2%) — solid but worth checking this vehicle's history carefully.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

76.2%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

21.1%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.18

Over 12.6 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

99k

Middle half: 80k–121k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 18.3 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 5,558 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Average reliability — agree?

What tends to go wrong

Across 5,558 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Other issues 77.1%

Oil leak · Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' · Oil leak, but not excessive · …

Tyre wear 71.9%

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Lighting 44.6%

Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated · Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated

Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.

Brake wear 30.7%

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2001.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 5,558 Saab 9 5 cars.

Before you buy a 2001 Saab 9 5

Based on MOT data from 5,558 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 21.1% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (95%)	5,299	76.3%	3.18
Diesel (4%)	235	74.2%	3.28

Colour Breakdown

Based on 55,800 Saab 9 5 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 28.8%

16,046

Blue 22.1%

12,323

Black 18.2%

10,150

Grey 17%

9,461

Green 5.6%

3,152

Red 5.5%

3,044

Beige 2.1%

1,144

White 0.6%

360

Brown 0.1%

Bronze 0%

Gold 0%

Maroon 0%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2001 Saab 9 5 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

98,805

typical

80,151

low mileage

120,575

high mileage

Half of all 2001 Saab 9 5 vehicles fall between 80,151 and 120,575 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 80,151 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 80,151–120,575 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2001 Saab 9 5s sit.

⚠ Over 162,776 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2001 Saab 9 5 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 10% of 2001 Saab 9 5s are still active.

Numbers are declining — 269 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (10% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

12.6

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.18

Avg failures per vehicle

18.3

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Saab 9 5: All 9 5 years → Which year to buy? →

1997 1998 1999 2000 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Or browse all models: Saab →

Compare with another model

See how the 2001 Saab 9 5 stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?