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

Free Saab 9-3 Vector 150 Bhp car check

Is the Saab 9-3 Vector 150 Bhp reliable? We analysed 6,808 real MOT tests across 533 vehicles to find out.

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

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Data last updated: · Based on 6,808 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
75.7%
Typical Mileage
78,335mi
Annual Mileage
5,410mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
24yrs

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

Saab 9-3 Vector 150 Bhp Number Plates

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

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

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

86.7%
2009
79.4%
2008
75.8%
2007
77.3%
2006
74.6%
2005
73.9%
2004
72.5%
2003
79.8%
2002

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

The most common reasons a Saab 9-3 Vector 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 166
position lamp(s) not working 115
coil spring broken 110
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 98
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 64
coil spring incomplete 60
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 60
coil spring fractured 56
Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords 47
Headlamp not working on dipped beam 42

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

How many miles does a typical Saab 9-3 Vector 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
2,909 mi/yr
Typical
5,410 mi/yr
Average
6,487 mi/yr
Heavy usage
8,493 mi/yr

Saab 9-3 Vector 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 Vector 150 Bhp year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2009 60 86.7% 30,648 48,702 80,128
2008 175 79.4% 38,188 65,261 92,202
2007 785 75.8% 47,094 70,456 93,162
2006 1,310 77.3% 48,232 72,812 99,468
2005 1,737 74.6% 54,818 78,818 107,082
2004 1,286 73.9% 50,266 78,656 110,317
2003 648 72.5% 63,574 86,656 117,599
2002 104 79.8% 52,474 73,161 91,964

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

Based on 533 Saab 9-3 Vector 150 Bhp vehicles on UK roads.

Average
13.8 years
Median
15.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
24 years

Saab 9-3 Vector 150 Bhp Mileage Distribution

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

Median
78,335 mi
75th Percentile
106,456 mi
95th Percentile
144,789 mi
Max Recorded
734,003 mi

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

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

Best year
2009

86.7% MOT pass rate from 60 tests

Year to avoid
2003

72.5% MOT pass rate from 648 tests

The best year to buy a used Saab 9-3 Vector 150 Bhp is 2009, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 86.7% across 60 tests. The 2003 model year has the lowest pass rate at 72.5% — 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 Vector 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 Vector 150 Bhp THIS CAR 75.7% 6,808 78,335 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
Yamaha FJ1100 82.3% 2,124 39,920 mi 42 yrs

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

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

The Saab 9-3 Vector 150 Bhp has an overall MOT pass rate of 75.7% across 6,808 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.

The most common problems on the Saab 9-3 Vector 150 Bhp are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (166 recorded failures), position lamp(s) not working (115), and coil spring broken (110). 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 Vector 150 Bhp owner drives around 5,410 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 Vector 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 Vector 150 Bhp — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Saab 9-3 Vector 150 Bhp reliable?
Based on 6,808 MOT tests, the Saab 9-3 Vector 150 Bhp has a 75.7% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Saab 9-3 Vector 150 Bhp?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, position lamp(s) not working, and coil spring broken. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Saab 9-3 Vector 150 Bhp do per year?
The typical Saab 9-3 Vector 150 Bhp does around 5,410 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Saab 9-3 Vector 150 Bhp last?
Most Saab 9-3 Vector 150 Bhp models stay on UK roads for around 24 years based on our analysis of 533 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Saab 9-3 Vector 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 Vector 150 Bhp?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Saab 9-3 Vector 150 Bhp is 2009 with a 86.7% pass rate across 60 tests.