Saab 9-3 S Tid Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Saab 9-3 S Tid car check
Is the Saab 9-3 S Tid reliable? We analysed 460 real MOT tests across 104 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Saab 9-3 S Tid? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Saab 9-3 S Tid is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, parking brake: efficiency below requirements and position lamp(s) not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Saab 9-3 S Tid.
Saab 9-3 S Tid Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Saab 9-3 S Tid. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Saab 9-3 S Tid MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Saab 9-3 S Tid to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Saab 9-3 S Tid Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Saab 9-3 S Tid fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Saab 9-3 S Tid Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Saab 9-3 S Tid owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Saab 9-3 S Tid MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Saab 9-3 S Tid year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 151 | 70.9% | 94,496 | 117,853 | 144,364 |
| 1999 | 152 | 72.4% | 106,678 | 130,039 | 150,112 |
| 1998 | 139 | 68.3% | 104,719 | 135,420 | 159,442 |
Saab 9-3 S Tid Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Saab 9-3 S Tid MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Saab 9-3 S Tid
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
72.4% MOT pass rate from 152 tests
68.3% MOT pass rate from 139 tests
The best year to buy a used Saab 9-3 S Tid is 1999, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 72.4% across 152 tests. The 1998 model year has the lowest pass rate at 68.3% — 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 S 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 S Tid THIS CAR | 70.7% | 460 | 126,008 mi | 28 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 Q5 S Lne Vor 50 TFSI E QUAT Sa | 93.6% | 234 | 30,027 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 S Tid trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Saab 9-3 S Tid 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 S TidShould you buy a used Saab 9-3 S Tid?
The Saab 9-3 S Tid has an overall MOT pass rate of 70.7% across 460 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Saab 9-3 S Tid are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (22 recorded failures), parking brake: efficiency below requirements (19), and position lamp(s) not working (16). 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 S Tid owner drives around 11,429 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 S Tid models stay on UK roads for around 28 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.