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R178 JHW

1998 Saab 9-3

Blue Petrol 1985cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires10 Aug 2026
Tests30 (18 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate60%

Mileage

118,634 mi
Last recorded118,634 miles
Recorded on11 Aug 2025
Typical for 1998 Saab 9-3103,203 mi

Above average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Saab
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationR178 JHW
MakeSaab
Model9-3
Year1998
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,985cc

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

18 pass 12 fail
Pass 11 Aug 2025 118,634 miles

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component (2.1.5 (a))

Fail 8 Aug 2025 118,634 miles

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component (2.1.5 (a))

Pass 8 Aug 2024 113,778 miles

Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

Central Stop lamp(s) with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning (4.3.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Indicator tell-tale inoperative (4.9.1 (a) (i))

Fail 6 Aug 2024 113,773 miles

Rear fog lamp tell-tale not working (4.9.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

Central Stop lamp(s) with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning (4.3.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Indicator tell-tale inoperative (4.9.1 (a) (i))

Pass 19 May 2023 113,556 miles

Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

Central Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases joint (6.1.2 (a))

Central Stop lamp(s) with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning (4.3.1 (a) (i))

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

engine over heating

Pass 1 Apr 2022 112,332 miles
Fail 31 Mar 2022 112,331 miles

Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced floor, (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Pass 22 Apr 2021 111,830 miles

Nearside Indicator tell-tale inoperative (4.9.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Nail in tyre ()

Pass 18 Mar 2020 110,919 miles

Rear exhaust corroded at rear on joint

Stop lamp(s) with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning (4.3.1 (a) (i))

Fail 18 Mar 2020 110,919 miles

Central Stop lamp(s) showing white light to the rear (4.3.3 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Rear exhaust corroded at rear on joint

Stop lamp(s) with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning (4.3.1 (a) (i))

Pass 18 Mar 2019 110,099 miles

Central Stop lamp(s) with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning (4.3.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Pass 12 Dec 2017 108,544 miles

Central Stop lamp has light sources not illuminating, but not more than 50% (1.2.1b)

Nearside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Pass 5 Dec 2016 104,946 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil Both (2.7.3)

Fail 5 Dec 2016 104,946 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil Both (2.7.3)

Pass 24 Nov 2015 86,609 miles

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

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

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Fail 24 Nov 2015 86,609 miles

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

Front registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Offside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

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

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Pass 19 Sep 2014 74,320 miles

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

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

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

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

rear tyre sidewalls perished

Fail 18 Sep 2014 74,320 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

rear tyre sidewalls perished

Fail 25 Apr 2013 73,029 miles

EXHAUST LEAK.CORROSION R FERRULES.MINOR PLAY MISC COMPONENTS-SUSPENSION-STEERING.LONG TRAVEL BRAKE PEDA.TYRES-O/S/F EDGE WORN/WALL DAMAGE-O/S/R+N/S/R WALL/TREAD DAMAGE.

Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Power steering fluid level below minimum (2.3.1)

Pass 25 Apr 2013 73,029 miles

EXHAUST LEAK.CORROSION R FERRULES.MINOR PLAY MISC COMPONENTS-SUSPENSION-STEERING.LONG TRAVEL BRAKE PEDA.TYRES-O/S/F EDGE WORN/WALL DAMAGE-O/S/R+N/S/R WALL/TREAD DAMAGE.

Pass 16 Sep 2011 72,276 miles

Nearside Rear Direction indicators slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Rear Direction indicators slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Pass 21 Sep 2010 71,554 miles
Fail 20 Sep 2010 71,554 miles

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Pass 7 Sep 2009 69,690 miles

Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Fail 7 Sep 2009 69,690 miles

Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Offside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Pass 13 Jun 2008 67,842 miles

Battery insecure

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Fail 11 Jun 2008 67,842 miles

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

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

Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

Nearside Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone 'A' (8.3.1e)

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

Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

Offside Rear Rear position lamp(s) excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.A.3d)

Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

Battery insecure

Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Pass 30 May 2007 67,284 miles
Fail 30 May 2007 67,824 miles

Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Offside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Pass 3 May 2006 64,111 miles

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

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R178 JHW is a 1998 Saab 9-3 in Blue with a 1,985cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 60%.

Across all 1998 Saab 9-3 models, the average MOT pass rate is 70.3% with a typical mileage of 103,203 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 R178 JHW, 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 28 years old, this Saab 9-3 is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of R178 JHW?

You can check the full history of R178 JHW by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R178 JHW registered?

R178 JHW is a 1998 Saab 9-3, first registered on 28 May 1998.

Is R178 JHW safe to buy?

The MOT history for R178 JHW shows 30 tests with a 60% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R178 JHW 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 R178 JHW. 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.