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R181 CDC

1998 Saab 9-3

Blue Petrol 2290cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires9 Jun 2021
Tests22 (13 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate59.1%

Mileage

126,999 mi
Last recorded126,999 miles
Recorded on19 May 2020
Typical for 1998 Saab 9-3103,203 mi

Above average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationR181 CDC
MakeSaab
Model9-3
Year1998
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine2,290cc

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

13 pass 9 fail
Pass 19 May 2020 126,999 miles

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

Central Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front floor panel corroded

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

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Offside Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

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

Offside Rear Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged bulge in outer wall (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

fuel tank straps corroded

Fail 19 May 2020 126,996 miles

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

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

Central Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front floor panel corroded

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

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Offside Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

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

Offside Rear Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged bulge in outer wall (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

fuel tank straps corroded

Pass 10 Jun 2019 125,364 miles

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

Central Exhaust heat shield insecure

Central Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Fail 7 Jun 2019 125,364 miles

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

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

Central Exhaust heat shield insecure

Central Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

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

Pass 8 Jun 2018 125,168 miles
Pass 10 Jul 2017 124,829 miles
Pass 22 Apr 2016 123,944 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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)

Pass 13 May 2015 123,271 miles

Offside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Oil leak

engine warning light on

rear exhaust heatshild insecure

Fail 8 May 2015 123,271 miles

Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

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

Offside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

Offside Inner Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecure to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc (2.5.C.1a)

Offside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Oil leak

engine warning light on

rear exhaust heatshild insecure

Pass 9 May 2014 122,110 miles

Centre Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

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

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

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

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 Outer Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.5.C.1a)

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

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

Oil leak

engine management light on

exhaust heatshield insecure

undertray insecure

Fail 6 May 2014 122,110 miles

Centre Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Offside Indicator tell tale inoperative (1.4.A.2a)

Rear fog lamp tell tale not working (1.3.1b)

Centre Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

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

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

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

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 Outer Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.5.C.1a)

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

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

Oil leak

engine management light on

exhaust heatshield insecure

undertray insecure

Pass 12 Apr 2013 120,249 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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 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)

Oil leak

centre exhaust heat shield insecure

engine management light staying on

offside front tyre cut but not showing cords

Fail 9 Apr 2013 120,249 miles

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

Nearside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)

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

Offside Inner Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecure to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc (2.5.C.1a)

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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 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)

Oil leak

centre exhaust heat shield insecure

engine management light staying on

offside front tyre cut but not showing cords

Pass 2 Aug 2010 119,456 miles

Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Engine/gearbox mounting(s) defective

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

Offside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

Pass 20 Jul 2009 110,777 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Fail 16 Jul 2009 110,777 miles

Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Pass 22 Jul 2008 104,046 miles
Fail 16 Jul 2008 104,043 miles

Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play (2.5.A.3c)

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low and too far to the left. (1.8)

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

Pass 7 Jul 2007 99,965 miles
Fail 19 Jun 2007 99,950 miles

Exhaust engine idle speed too high (7.3.D.1)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Rear Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (3.6.B.4e)

Nearside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Rear Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (3.6.B.4e)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7) DANGEROUS

Macpherson strut has slight movement at the upper attachment (2.5.A.1c)

Pass 21 Jun 2006 89,018 miles
Fail 20 Jun 2006 89,018 miles

Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a track control arm inner bush (2.5.B.2b)

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

Nearside Front suspension has slight play in a track control arm inner bush (2.5.B.2b)

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

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

movement on bulkhead when rocking steering.

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

R181 CDC is a 1998 Saab 9-3 in Blue with a 2,290cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 22 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 59.1%.

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 R181 CDC, 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 R181 CDC?

You can check the full history of R181 CDC by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R181 CDC registered?

R181 CDC is a 1998 Saab 9-3, first registered on 1 May 1998.

Is R181 CDC safe to buy?

The MOT history for R181 CDC shows 22 tests with a 59.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R181 CDC 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 R181 CDC. 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.