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R333 SAB

1998 Saab 9-3

Silver Petrol 2290cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires17 Jun 2027
Tests27 (20 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate74.1%

Mileage

150,103 mi
Last recorded150,103 miles
Recorded on2 Jun 2026
Typical for 1998 Saab 9-3103,203 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationR333 SAB
MakeSaab
Model9-3
Year1998
ColourSilver
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

20 pass 7 fail
Pass 2 Jun 2026 150,103 miles
Pass 20 May 2025 142,541 miles

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

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

Fail 20 May 2025 142,541 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

Pass 18 Jun 2024 138,378 miles

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

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

Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge nearside & offside - wearing on iner edge (5.2.3 (e))

Rear Upper Suspension spring mounting repair covered in underseal nearside & offside (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

nearside & offside - sill covers fitted

Pass 4 May 2023 136,428 miles

Front Road wheel slightly distorted nearside and offside (5.2.2 (c) (i))

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

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

Rear Tyre slightly damaged nearside and offside feathering inner edges (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

front exhaust flexible section deteriorating

Pass 12 May 2022 133,012 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases centre join (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

nearside rear chassis heavily coated in sealants/under-seal

Fail 6 May 2022 132,999 miles

Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength chassis area's - marked in yellow (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases centre join (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

nearside rear chassis heavily coated in sealants/under-seal

Pass 27 Mar 2021 132,248 miles

Offside Front Lower Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

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

Fail 27 Mar 2021 132,248 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Lower Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

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

Pass 20 Jan 2020 129,886 miles

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

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive chassis leg area's within coil spring mounting point (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Road wheel slightly distorted nearside & offside front inner wheel rims have flat spots (5.2.2 (c) (i))

offside rear tyre has worn unevenly inner shoulder

oil residue engine area's

side skirts fitted not allowing full inspection of the outer sill area's

Pass 11 Feb 2019 125,879 miles

Front Windscreen wiper blade defective nearside & offside (3.4 (b) (i))

Gearbox mounting defective

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive chassis leg area's within spring mounting point (5.3.6 (a) (i))

oil residue gearbox area's

side skirts fitted not allowing full inspection of outer sill area's

Pass 17 Feb 2018 124,071 miles

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

both inner rear arches starting to corrode

sill covers fitted

Pass 12 Dec 2016 122,910 miles

Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. front 12% rear 25% (3.7.B.5b)

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim (4.2.A.1a)

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

Offside Rear slight brake bind

Fail 9 Dec 2016 122,910 miles

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

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

Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. front 12% rear 25% (3.7.B.5b)

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim (4.2.A.1a)

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

Offside Rear slight brake bind

Pass 18 Dec 2015 121,602 miles

Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. rear 29% front 11% (3.7.B.5b)

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

Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Fail 14 Dec 2015 121,601 miles

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

Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases joint (7.1.2)

Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. rear 29% front 11% (3.7.B.5b)

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

Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Pass 12 Dec 2014 119,494 miles

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

Nearside Front Road wheel slightly damaged (4.2.A.1a)

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

Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Oil leak

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

nearside front tyre cut on outer wall/rear silencer skins rusting

Pass 16 Dec 2013 117,401 miles

Offside Front Road wheel slightly damaged (4.2.A.1a)

Oil leak

both wipers split on ends/general rusting on underside of vehicle/rear silencer skins rusting/nearside rear inner arch rusting at front end

Fail 7 Dec 2013 117,388 miles

Nearside Front Road wheel cracked (4.2.A.1a)

Nearside Rear Road wheel cracked (4.2.A.1a)

Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

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

Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

back box outer skin is deteriorated

slight oil leak from engine area

Pass 19 Nov 2012 116,334 miles

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

Offside Front Road wheel slightly damaged (4.2.A.1a)

Oil leak

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

rear silencer skins rusting/general rusting on underside of vehicle/nearside rear tyre cut on outer wall/nearside front tyre worn on inner tread

Pass 14 Nov 2011 114,003 miles

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

Nearside Front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

Offside Front Road wheel slightly damaged (4.2.A.1a)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

general rusting on underside of vehicle/offside rear tyre worn on inner tread/nearside rear tyre cut on outer wall

Pass 24 Nov 2010 112,387 miles

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

Nearside Front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Offside Front Road wheel slightly damaged (4.2.A.1a)

Oil leak

nearside rear tyre cut on outer wall

Pass 14 Oct 2009 108,983 miles

Nearside Front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Pass 16 Oct 2008 104,477 miles

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

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

offside front tyre worn inner and outer treads

Fail 16 Oct 2008 104,477 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre not fitted in accordance with side wall instructions (4.1.D.1f)

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

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

nearside rear tyre worn on inner and outer treads

Pass 17 Sep 2007 99,814 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

front number plate cracked

Pass 11 Sep 2006 94,500 miles

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

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

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

R333 SAB is a 1998 Saab 9-3 in Silver with a 2,290cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 27 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 74.1%.

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 performed better than the average for its year.

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 R333 SAB, 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 R333 SAB?

You can check the full history of R333 SAB by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R333 SAB registered?

R333 SAB is a 1998 Saab 9-3, first registered on 15 May 1998.

Is R333 SAB safe to buy?

The MOT history for R333 SAB shows 27 tests with a 74.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R333 SAB 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 R333 SAB. 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.