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BU05 XPH

2005 Saab 9-3

Black Petrol 1998cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires10 Jun 2027
Tests22 (15 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate68.2%

Mileage

258,364 mi
Last recorded258,364 miles
Recorded on11 Jun 2026
Typical for 2005 Saab 9-389,093 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Saab
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationBU05 XPH
MakeSaab
Model9-3
Year2005
ColourBlack
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,998cc

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

15 pass 7 fail
Pass 11 Jun 2026 258,364 miles

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Rear Upper Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security shock area (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement trail (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Upper Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security shock area (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Rear Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Fail 10 Jun 2026 258,364 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Headlamp lens seriously defective (4.1.1 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced outrigger (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Headlamp lens seriously defective (4.1.1 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers likely to become detached (5.3.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Rear Upper Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security shock area (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement trail (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Upper Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security shock area (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Rear Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 4 Jun 2025 254,126 miles

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Front both backplates corroded

Front shocks slightly corroded both

Offside Rear Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn (5.1.2 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Steering rack has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Fail 28 May 2025 254,125 miles

Front Registration plate inscription illegible (0.1 (b))

Nearside Front Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Headlamp lens seriously defective (4.1.1 (b) (ii))

Nearside Rear Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush excessively worn (5.1.2 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Hydraulic brake calliper damaged (1.1.16 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Nearside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn upper arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Headlamp lens seriously defective (4.1.1 (b) (ii))

Offside Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced middle (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Front both backplates corroded

Front shocks slightly corroded both

Offside Rear Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn (5.1.2 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Steering rack has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 22 May 2024 244,264 miles

Front front registration plate damaged

Nearside Front Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge tyre on limit 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Rear Inner Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge tyre worn inner edge (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm attachment bracket/mounting corroded but its strength is not seriously reduced (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm attachment bracket/mounting corroded but its strength is not seriously reduced (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Rear Lower Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Pass 9 Feb 2023 234,887 miles

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread damaged (0.1 (b))

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front shock casing corroded

Nearside Rear shock casing corroded

Offside Front Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Upper Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Upper top mount noisy

Offside Front shock casing corroded

Offside Rear Lower fuel filter corroded

Offside Rear shock casing corroded

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Rear Lower Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

n/s/f and o/s/f brake dust shields corroded

Pass 14 Feb 2022 221,741 miles

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing casing corroded (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing casing corroded (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 3mm (5.2.3 (e))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Lower Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

centre exhaust box corroded

Fail 1 Feb 2022 221,740 miles

Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction (8.2.1.2 (h))

Nearside Front Headlamp has a product on the light source so that the light output is severely reduced (4.1.4 (b))

Offside Front Headlamp has a product on the light source so that the light output is severely reduced (4.1.4 (b))

Rear Sub-frame corroded and seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing casing corroded (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing casing corroded (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 3mm (5.2.3 (e))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Lower Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

centre exhaust box corroded

Pass 26 Jan 2021 208,055 miles

Front Inner Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened worn (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened worn (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Inner Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge tyre worn inner edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Inner Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge tyre worn inner edge (5.2.3 (e))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Rear Lower Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

exhaust middle box deteriorating / corroded

slight noise from steering wheel

Fail 26 Jan 2021 208,054 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn drop link (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Inner Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt split (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Offside Front Inner Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt split (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Front Inner Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened worn (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened worn (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Inner Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge tyre worn inner edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Inner Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge tyre worn inner edge (5.2.3 (e))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Rear Lower Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

exhaust middle box deteriorating / corroded

slight noise from steering wheel

Pass 3 Jan 2020 198,295 miles

Nearside Rear tyre wearing on outer edge

Offside Front shock casing corroded

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

n/s/f/ and o/s/f brake dust covers corroded

n/s/f/ and o/s/f radiator frame supports corroded

Pass 4 Feb 2019 92,691 miles

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Side repeater slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Rear Exhaust mounting defective back box rubber missing (6.1.2 (a))

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 28 Jun 2014 116,303 miles

front brake fluctuating, but not excessively (3.7.B.3)

n/s/r tyre stepped on inner edge,front tyres wearing on inner edges,centre exhaust corroded,o/s/r brake slight bind

Fail 25 Jun 2014 116,303 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside coil spring broken (2.4.C.1a)

Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

front brake fluctuating, but not excessively (3.7.B.3)

n/s/r tyre stepped on inner edge,front tyres wearing on inner edges,centre exhaust corroded,o/s/r brake slight bind

Pass 13 Jun 2013 102,647 miles
Pass 10 Jul 2012 90,719 miles

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Rear Rear position lamp(s) damaged, but still visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.A.3d)

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Rear reflector slightly damaged but function not impaired (1.5.1c)

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Fail 9 Jul 2012 90,717 miles

Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement (7.2.4b)

Nearside Front Upper Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Rear Rear position lamp(s) damaged, but still visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.A.3d)

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Rear reflector slightly damaged but function not impaired (1.5.1c)

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Pass 24 Jun 2011 77,007 miles

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Fail 23 Jun 2011 77,006 miles

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Pass 8 Jun 2010 61,202 miles

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Pass 30 Jun 2009 45,710 miles
Pass 30 Jun 2008 30,166 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

How Reliable is the Saab 9-3?

Based on 2,294,034 MOT tests across 155,316 vehicles.

73.6%
Pass Rate
6,682
Miles/Year
28
Year Lifespan
155,316
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 75,543
coil spring broken 47,423
position lamp(s) not working 38,332
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 35,584
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 34,513
Full Saab 9-3 reliability report

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

Not all vehicle check providers are the same. Some don't offer a data guarantee, which means if their information is wrong, you're on your own. Every CarVerify report is backed by a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

BU05 XPH is a 2005 Saab 9-3 in Black with a 1,998cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 22 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 68.2%.

Across all 2005 Saab 9-3 models, the average MOT pass rate is 73.1% with a typical mileage of 89,093 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a Saab 9-3 fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 75,543 recorded failures. If you're considering buying BU05 XPH, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Saab 9-3 typically stays on UK roads for around 28 years. At 21 years old, this Saab 9-3 is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of BU05 XPH?

You can check the full history of BU05 XPH by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was BU05 XPH registered?

BU05 XPH is a 2005 Saab 9-3, first registered on 16 June 2005.

Is BU05 XPH safe to buy?

The MOT history for BU05 XPH shows 22 tests with a 68.2% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does BU05 XPH have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on BU05 XPH. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.