Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2011 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 2011 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 2011 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 2011 Saab 9 5 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

32% 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 2011 Saab 9 5 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 518 vehicles, the 2011 Saab 9 5 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 78.6%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2011 Saab 9 5?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2011 Saab 9 5 are: Oil leak, but not excessive (43.2% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (39.4% of vehicles), Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (38.2% 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 2011 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 (2011)

518 real MOT outcomes analysed • 78.6% first-time pass rate

2011 Saab 9 5

CarHunch analysed 518 real MOT records for the 2011 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 2011 SAAB 9-5 falls just short of the UK average with a 78.6% first-time pass rate, and that's concerning enough on its own—but the real warning sign is that 32% of these cars have experienced a dangerous defect during their MOT history, well above the typical threshold. Diesel variants, which dominate this cohort at 435 of 518 vehicles, perform marginally worse at 77.3%, suggesting fuel type isn't the deciding factor here.

These cars are running at sensible mileage for their age (median 75,002 miles), but they're failing hard: an average of 2.77 failures per test combined with 13 advisories tells you the 9-5 develops niggling problems across multiple systems. If you're considering one, budget for repairs and get a pre-purchase inspection that specifically covers suspension, brakes, and emissions systems—that 32% dangerous defect rate means structural or safety issues are genuinely common in this generation.

The 2011 Saab 9 5 has a decent first-time pass rate (78.6%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ 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

78.6%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

32.1%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

2.77

Over 12.1 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

75k

Middle half: 58k–100k

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 13 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 518 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.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 518 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Other issues 43.2%

Oil leak, but not excessive · Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened · Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components · …

Tyre wear 39.4%

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Offside Front 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 24.7%

Nearside Front Position lamp not working · Offside Front Position lamp not working · Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working

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

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2011.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 518 Saab 9 5 cars.

Before you buy a 2011 Saab 9 5

Based on MOT data from 518 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 32.1% 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
Diesel (84%)	435	77.3%	2.91
Petrol (16%)	81	85.6%	2.01

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 2011 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.

75,002

typical

57,976

low mileage

99,884

high mileage

Half of all 2011 Saab 9 5 vehicles fall between 57,976 and 99,884 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 57,976 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.

✓ 57,976–99,884 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2011 Saab 9 5s sit.

⚠ Over 134,843 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2011 Saab 9 5 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 57% of 2011 Saab 9 5s are still active.

288 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 57% of the peak remain.

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

12.1

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

2.77

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

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Compare with another model

See how the 2011 Saab 9 5 stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing