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R501 MDE

1998 Saab 9-3

Blue Petrol 1985cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires16 Mar 2018
Tests20 (11 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate55%

Mileage

169,680 mi
Last recorded169,680 miles
Recorded on18 Feb 2017
Typical for 1998 Saab 9-3103,203 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Saab
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationR501 MDE
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

11 pass 9 fail
Pass 18 Feb 2017 169,680 miles

EML lights on

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

Oil leak ()

exhaust corroded

exhaust heat shield

Fail 7 Feb 2017 169,679 miles

Driver's door hinge missing (6.2.B.2)

Driver's seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. (6.2.A.3)

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

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

Headlamp cleaning device inoperative (1.7.2)

Nearside Front Tyre has had the tread recut (4.1.D.1c)

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

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Rear Tyre(s) incorrect because different size tyres are fitted on the same axle. (4.1.A.1a)

EML lights on

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

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

Oil leak ()

exhaust corroded

exhaust heat shield

Pass 17 Feb 2016 162,986 miles

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

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

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

Offside Front Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

oil leak

Fail 5 Feb 2016 162,662 miles

Battery insecure (1.9.1)

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

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

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

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

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

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

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

Offside Front Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

oil leak

Pass 17 Mar 2015 154,542 miles

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

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

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

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

Fail 17 Mar 2015 154,540 miles

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

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

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

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

Offside Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (1.2.1f)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Pass 12 Mar 2014 145,095 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Oil leak

centre silencer deteriorating

Fail 12 Mar 2014 145,094 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

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

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oil leak

centre silencer deteriorating

Fail 22 Feb 2013 136,128 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

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

Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

wiper scraches in screen

Pass 22 Feb 2013 136,128 miles

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

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

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

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

wiper scraches in screen

Pass 9 Jul 2012 131,912 miles

battery insecure

front and rear brake discs corroded

Fail 27 Jun 2012 131,912 miles

Offside Rear Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

battery insecure

front and rear brake discs corroded

Pass 17 May 2011 131,904 miles

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

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

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

Fail 3 May 2011 131,903 miles

Emissions not tested (7.0)

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

Offside Front Macpherson strut corroded and seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

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

Pass 19 May 2010 129,807 miles

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

nail in nearside rear tyre

Fail 17 Jun 2009 128,134 miles

All brake disces slightly rusty

Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid close to minimum level (3.6.G.1b)

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

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

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

Slight leak from screen washer bottle

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 17 Jun 2009 128,134 miles

All brake disces slightly rusty

Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid close to minimum level (3.6.G.1b)

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

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

Slight leak from screen washer bottle

Pass 10 Aug 2007 123,293 miles
Fail 14 Jul 2007 122,563 miles

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

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

exhaust corroded

o/s/r brake discs corroded

Pass 13 Jul 2006 101,300 miles

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

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

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

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

hand brake long travel

high level stop light inop

oil leak

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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£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

R501 MDE is a 1998 Saab 9-3 in Blue with a 1,985cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 20 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 55%.

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 R501 MDE, 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 R501 MDE?

You can check the full history of R501 MDE by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R501 MDE registered?

R501 MDE is a 1998 Saab 9-3, first registered on 31 December 1998.

Is R501 MDE safe to buy?

The MOT history for R501 MDE shows 20 tests with a 55% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R501 MDE 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 R501 MDE. 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.