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Saab 9-3 Linear Sport Tid Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Saab 9-3 Linear Sport Tid car check

Is the Saab 9-3 Linear Sport Tid reliable? We analysed 997 real MOT tests across 130 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 997 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
74.4%
Typical Mileage
107,216mi
Annual Mileage
9,068mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
22yrs

The Saab 9-3 Linear Sport Tid is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick and coil spring broken. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Saab 9-3 Linear Sport Tid.

Saab 9-3 Linear Sport Tid Number Plates

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

Saab 9-3 Linear Sport Tid MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

68.5%
2007
73.5%
2006
76.7%
2005
69.6%
2004

Saab 9-3 Linear Sport Tid Problems — What Goes Wrong?

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

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 46
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 28
coil spring broken 24
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 19
coil spring incomplete 15
Headlamp aim too low 13
Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush 11
coil spring fractured 11
Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint 11
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 11

Saab 9-3 Linear Sport Tid Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
6,002 mi/yr
Typical
9,068 mi/yr
Average
10,341 mi/yr
Heavy usage
13,373 mi/yr

Saab 9-3 Linear Sport Tid MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2007 89 68.5% 68,789 105,577 144,300
2006 245 73.5% 83,278 118,161 140,704
2005 454 76.7% 74,029 96,991 124,524
2004 115 69.6% 84,486 108,076 132,480

Saab 9-3 Linear Sport Tid Mileage Distribution

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

Median
107,216 mi
75th Percentile
136,370 mi
95th Percentile
180,059 mi
Max Recorded
904,453 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Saab 9-3 Linear Sport Tid

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

Best year
2005

76.7% MOT pass rate from 454 tests

Year to avoid
2007

68.5% MOT pass rate from 89 tests

The best year to buy a used Saab 9-3 Linear Sport Tid is 2005, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 76.7% across 454 tests. The 2007 model year has the lowest pass rate at 68.5% — 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 Sport Tid 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 Sport Tid THIS CAR 74.4% 997 107,216 mi 22 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
Lexus IS200 Sport 77.3% 1,948 93,825 mi 27 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 Sport Tid outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Saab 9-3 Linear Sport Tid?

The Saab 9-3 Linear Sport Tid has an overall MOT pass rate of 74.4% across 997 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Saab 9-3 Linear Sport Tid are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (46 recorded failures), brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (28), and coil spring broken (24). 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 Sport Tid owner drives around 9,068 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 Sport Tid models stay on UK roads for around 22 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 Sport Tid — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Saab 9-3 Linear Sport Tid reliable?
Based on 997 MOT tests, the Saab 9-3 Linear Sport Tid has a 74.4% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Saab 9-3 Linear Sport Tid?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick, and coil spring broken. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Saab 9-3 Linear Sport Tid do per year?
The typical Saab 9-3 Linear Sport Tid does around 9,068 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Saab 9-3 Linear Sport Tid last?
Most Saab 9-3 Linear Sport Tid models stay on UK roads for around 22 years based on our analysis of 130 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Saab 9-3 Linear Sport Tid?
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 Sport Tid?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Saab 9-3 Linear Sport Tid is 2005 with a 76.7% pass rate across 454 tests.