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Saab 9-3 Vector 175 Bhp Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Saab 9-3 Vector 175 Bhp car check

Is the Saab 9-3 Vector 175 Bhp reliable? We analysed 2,133 real MOT tests across 186 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 2,133 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
74.2%
Typical Mileage
85,624mi
Annual Mileage
6,778mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
24yrs

The Saab 9-3 Vector 175 Bhp is about 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 brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Saab 9-3 Vector 175 Bhp.

Saab 9-3 Vector 175 Bhp Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Saab 9-3 Vector 175 Bhp. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Saab 9-3 Vector 175 Bhp MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Saab 9-3 Vector 175 Bhp to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

71.2%
2006
77.2%
2005
74.1%
2004
75.5%
2003
69.6%
2002

Saab 9-3 Vector 175 Bhp Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Saab 9-3 Vector 175 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 74
position lamp(s) not working 57
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 33
coil spring incomplete 30
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 29
Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush 25
Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint 24
coil spring broken 22
coil spring fractured 18
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 18

Saab 9-3 Vector 175 Bhp Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Saab 9-3 Vector 175 Bhp owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
4,091 mi/yr
Typical
6,778 mi/yr
Average
7,755 mi/yr
Heavy usage
10,117 mi/yr

Saab 9-3 Vector 175 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 175 Bhp year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2006 104 71.2% 50,102 75,254 94,518
2005 276 77.2% 52,840 74,588 108,394
2004 888 74.1% 59,614 83,650 109,551
2003 564 75.5% 54,240 81,520 112,174
2002 181 69.6% 71,664 105,524 140,938

How Long Does a Saab 9-3 Vector 175 Bhp Last?

Based on 186 Saab 9-3 Vector 175 Bhp vehicles on UK roads.

Average
11.7 years
Median
11.5 years
Estimated max lifespan
24 years

Saab 9-3 Vector 175 Bhp Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Saab 9-3 Vector 175 Bhp MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
85,624 mi
75th Percentile
114,513 mi
95th Percentile
153,692 mi
Max Recorded
581,503 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Saab 9-3 Vector 175 Bhp

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

Best year
2005

77.2% MOT pass rate from 276 tests

Year to avoid
2002

69.6% MOT pass rate from 181 tests

The best year to buy a used Saab 9-3 Vector 175 Bhp is 2005, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 77.2% across 276 tests. The 2002 model year has the lowest pass rate at 69.6% — 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 175 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 175 Bhp THIS CAR 74.2% 2,133 85,624 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 Swift SZ4 90.4% 1,089 54,212 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 Vector 175 Bhp sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Saab 9-3 Vector 175 Bhp?

The Saab 9-3 Vector 175 Bhp has an overall MOT pass rate of 74.2% across 2,133 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Saab 9-3 Vector 175 Bhp are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (74 recorded failures), position lamp(s) not working (57), and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (33). 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 175 Bhp owner drives around 6,778 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 175 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 175 Bhp — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Saab 9-3 Vector 175 Bhp reliable?
Based on 2,133 MOT tests, the Saab 9-3 Vector 175 Bhp has a 74.2% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Saab 9-3 Vector 175 Bhp?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, position lamp(s) not working, and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Saab 9-3 Vector 175 Bhp do per year?
The typical Saab 9-3 Vector 175 Bhp does around 6,778 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Saab 9-3 Vector 175 Bhp last?
Most Saab 9-3 Vector 175 Bhp models stay on UK roads for around 24 years based on our analysis of 186 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Saab 9-3 Vector 175 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 175 Bhp?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Saab 9-3 Vector 175 Bhp is 2005 with a 77.2% pass rate across 276 tests.