CarVerify

Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp car check

Is the Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp reliable? We analysed 5,198 real MOT tests across 371 vehicles to find out.

Got a specific Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp? Enter the reg for a free check:

Free basic check Reports from £4.99 Results in seconds
Data last updated: · Based on 5,198 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
74.6%
Typical Mileage
78,367mi
Annual Mileage
6,129mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
24yrs

The Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, coil spring broken and position lamp(s) not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp.

Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

76.3%
2007
73.5%
2006
73.7%
2005
75.1%
2004
75.4%
2003
72.3%
2002

Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 184
coil spring broken 106
position lamp(s) not working 102
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 92
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 70
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 52
coil spring incomplete 50
coil spring fractured 50
Headlamp not working on dipped beam 40
Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint 36

Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
3,444 mi/yr
Typical
6,129 mi/yr
Average
7,116 mi/yr
Heavy usage
9,628 mi/yr

Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2007 785 76.3% 44,607 66,124 96,346
2006 1,478 73.5% 50,420 75,530 104,653
2005 1,577 73.7% 51,123 78,788 104,492
2004 486 75.1% 59,670 85,658 116,866
2003 601 75.4% 60,774 85,930 109,423
2002 119 72.3% 65,554 85,921 108,102

How Long Does a Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp Last?

Based on 371 Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp vehicles on UK roads.

Average
13.6 years
Median
14.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
24 years

Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
78,367 mi
75th Percentile
106,056 mi
95th Percentile
148,101 mi
Max Recorded
936,106 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
2007

76.3% MOT pass rate from 785 tests

Year to avoid
2002

72.3% MOT pass rate from 119 tests

The best year to buy a used Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp is 2007, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 76.3% across 785 tests. The 2002 model year has the lowest pass rate at 72.3% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp THIS CAR 74.6% 5,198 78,367 mi 24 yrs
Saab 9-3 73.6% 2,294,034 88,441 mi 28 yrs
Saab 9-5 74.3% 735,114 97,615 mi 29 yrs
Saab 900 67.7% 358,142 113,382 mi 39 yrs
Suzuki Gs 500 K7 83% 1,659 19,284 mi 19 yrs

Compared to the Saab 9-3 (73.6% pass rate) and the Saab 9-5 (74.3% pass rate), the Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp outperforms both on MOT reliability.

Found a Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp you like?

Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.

Check a specific Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp

Should you buy a used Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp?

The Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp has an overall MOT pass rate of 74.6% across 5,198 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (184 recorded failures), coil spring broken (106), and position lamp(s) not working (102). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.

A typical Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp owner drives around 6,129 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.

In terms of longevity, most Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp models stay on UK roads for around 24 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.

Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.

Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp reliable?
Based on 5,198 MOT tests, the Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp has a 74.6% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, coil spring broken, and position lamp(s) not working. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp do per year?
The typical Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp does around 6,129 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp last?
Most Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp models stay on UK roads for around 24 years based on our analysis of 371 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Saab 9-3 Linear 150 Bhp is 2007 with a 76.3% pass rate across 785 tests.