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

Free Saab 9-3 Linear Tid car check

Is the Saab 9-3 Linear Tid reliable? We analysed 245 real MOT tests across 104 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 245 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
74.7%
Typical Mileage
94,176mi
Annual Mileage
12,724mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
23yrs

The Saab 9-3 Linear 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 fractured. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Saab 9-3 Linear Tid.

Saab 9-3 Linear Tid Number Plates

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

Saab 9-3 Linear Tid MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

78.5%
2003

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

The most common reasons a Saab 9-3 Linear 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 15
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 5
coil spring fractured 5
position lamp(s) not working 5
registration plate deteriorated 4
coil spring incomplete 4
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 3
Tyre has a lump, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure 2
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 2
Headlamp not working on dipped beam 2

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

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

Low usage
7,184 mi/yr
Typical
12,724 mi/yr
Average
14,523 mi/yr
Heavy usage
18,098 mi/yr

Saab 9-3 Linear 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 Tid year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2003 107 78.5% 72,273 89,713 101,300

Saab 9-3 Linear Tid Mileage Distribution

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

Median
94,176 mi
75th Percentile
119,777 mi
95th Percentile
195,714 mi
Max Recorded
4,440,498 mi

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

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

Best year
2003

78.5% MOT pass rate from 107 tests

The best year to buy a used Saab 9-3 Linear Tid is 2003, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 78.5% across 107 tests.

How Does the Saab 9-3 Linear 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 Tid THIS CAR 74.7% 245 94,176 mi 23 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
Audi A7 Competition 55TFSI E Qto Sa 89.8% 381 33,310 mi — 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 Tid outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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

The Saab 9-3 Linear Tid has an overall MOT pass rate of 74.7% across 245 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Saab 9-3 Linear Tid are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (15 recorded failures), brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (5), and coil spring fractured (5). 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 Tid owner drives around 12,724 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 Tid models stay on UK roads for around 23 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 Tid — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Saab 9-3 Linear Tid reliable?
Based on 245 MOT tests, the Saab 9-3 Linear Tid has a 74.7% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Saab 9-3 Linear 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 fractured. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Saab 9-3 Linear Tid do per year?
The typical Saab 9-3 Linear Tid does around 12,724 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Saab 9-3 Linear Tid last?
Most Saab 9-3 Linear Tid models stay on UK roads for around 23 years based on our analysis of 104 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Saab 9-3 Linear 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 Tid?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Saab 9-3 Linear Tid is 2003 with a 78.5% pass rate across 107 tests.