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Saab 9-5 Vector Tid Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Saab 9-5 Vector Tid car check

Is the Saab 9-5 Vector Tid reliable? We analysed 677 real MOT tests across 132 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 677 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
74.3%
Typical Mileage
104,630mi
Annual Mileage
10,679mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
25yrs

The Saab 9-5 Vector Tid is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, registration plate lamp not working and position lamp(s) not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Saab 9-5 Vector Tid.

Saab 9-5 Vector Tid Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Saab 9-5 Vector Tid. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Saab 9-5 Vector Tid MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Saab 9-5 Vector Tid to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

71.1%
2003
74.7%
2002
71.8%
2001

Saab 9-5 Vector Tid Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Saab 9-5 Vector 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 39
Registration plate lamp not working 15
position lamp(s) not working 14
Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine 12
Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush 12
Tyre has ply or cords exposed 11
Brake pipe excessively corroded 10
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 10
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 10
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel 8

Saab 9-5 Vector Tid Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Saab 9-5 Vector Tid owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
7,015 mi/yr
Typical
10,679 mi/yr
Average
12,231 mi/yr
Heavy usage
15,784 mi/yr

Saab 9-5 Vector Tid MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Saab 9-5 Vector Tid year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2003 76 71.1% 83,497 105,284 159,578
2002 399 74.7% 77,741 100,003 126,798
2001 71 71.8% 68,096 87,798 109,185

Saab 9-5 Vector Tid Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Saab 9-5 Vector Tid MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
104,630 mi
75th Percentile
139,076 mi
95th Percentile
207,555 mi
Max Recorded
267,052 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Saab 9-5 Vector Tid

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

Best year
2002

74.7% MOT pass rate from 399 tests

Year to avoid
2003

71.1% MOT pass rate from 76 tests

The best year to buy a used Saab 9-5 Vector Tid is 2002, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 74.7% across 399 tests. The 2003 model year has the lowest pass rate at 71.1% — 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 Vector Tid Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Saab 9-5 Vector Tid THIS CAR 74.3% 677 104,630 mi 25 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
Mercedes-benz Gla 200 Sport D Auto 92.5% 1,045 32,884 mi — yrs

Compared to the Saab 9-3 (73.6% pass rate) and the Saab 9-5 (74.3% pass rate), the Saab 9-5 Vector Tid sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Saab 9-5 Vector Tid?

The Saab 9-5 Vector Tid has an overall MOT pass rate of 74.3% across 677 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Saab 9-5 Vector Tid are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (39 recorded failures), registration plate lamp not working (15), and position lamp(s) not working (14). 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 Vector Tid owner drives around 10,679 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 Vector Tid models stay on UK roads for around 25 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 9-5 Vector Tid — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Saab 9-5 Vector Tid reliable?
Based on 677 MOT tests, the Saab 9-5 Vector Tid has a 74.3% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Saab 9-5 Vector Tid?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, registration plate lamp not working, and position lamp(s) not working. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Saab 9-5 Vector Tid do per year?
The typical Saab 9-5 Vector Tid does around 10,679 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Saab 9-5 Vector Tid last?
Most Saab 9-5 Vector Tid models stay on UK roads for around 25 years based on our analysis of 132 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Saab 9-5 Vector 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 9-5 Vector Tid?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Saab 9-5 Vector Tid is 2002 with a 74.7% pass rate across 399 tests.