Saab 9-5 SE Auto Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Saab 9-5 SE Auto car check
Is the Saab 9-5 SE Auto reliable? We analysed 2,905 real MOT tests across 683 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Saab 9-5 SE Auto? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Saab 9-5 SE Auto 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 direction indicator incorrect colour. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Saab 9-5 SE Auto.
Saab 9-5 SE Auto Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Saab 9-5 SE Auto. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Saab 9-5 SE Auto MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Saab 9-5 SE Auto to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Saab 9-5 SE Auto Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Saab 9-5 SE Auto fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Saab 9-5 SE Auto Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Saab 9-5 SE Auto owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Saab 9-5 SE Auto MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Saab 9-5 SE Auto year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 232 | 75.9% | 64,407 | 81,798 | 110,663 |
| 2000 | 464 | 76.7% | 83,337 | 109,720 | 131,128 |
| 1999 | 917 | 72.6% | 86,878 | 108,239 | 133,697 |
| 1998 | 1,157 | 73.4% | 86,104 | 108,290 | 131,278 |
| 1997 | 100 | 65.0% | 108,922 | 131,683 | 150,578 |
How Long Does a Saab 9-5 SE Auto Last?
Based on 683 Saab 9-5 SE Auto vehicles on UK roads.
Saab 9-5 SE Auto Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Saab 9-5 SE Auto 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 9-5 SE Auto
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
76.7% MOT pass rate from 464 tests
65.0% MOT pass rate from 100 tests
The best year to buy a used Saab 9-5 SE Auto is 2000, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 76.7% across 464 tests. The 1997 model year has the lowest pass rate at 65.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Saab 9-5 SE Auto Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saab 9-5 SE Auto THIS CAR | 73.7% | 2,905 | 107,680 mi | 29 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 |
| Daewoo Korando | 65.6% | 4,894 | 68,529 mi | 27 yrs |
Compared to the Saab 9-3 (73.6% pass rate) and the Saab 9-5 (74.3% pass rate), the Saab 9-5 SE Auto sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Saab 9-5 SE Auto 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 9-5 SE AutoShould you buy a used Saab 9-5 SE Auto?
The Saab 9-5 SE Auto has an overall MOT pass rate of 73.7% across 2,905 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Saab 9-5 SE Auto are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (168 recorded failures), brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (84), and direction indicator incorrect colour (75). 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 9-5 SE Auto owner drives around 8,861 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 9-5 SE Auto models stay on UK roads for around 29 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.