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S551 GDV

1999 Saab 9-3

Grey Diesel 2171cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires19 Jul 2025
Tests32 (18 pass, 14 fail)
Pass rate56.3%

Mileage

215,161 mi
Last recorded215,161 miles
Recorded on17 Jul 2025
Typical for 1999 Saab 9-398,368 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Saab
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationS551 GDV
MakeSaab
Model9-3
Year1999
ColourGrey
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,171cc

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 14 fail
Fail 17 Jul 2025 215,161 miles

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength floor in varoius places (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively damaged significantly reducing structural strength arch (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength floor in variuos places (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced floor in varoius places (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

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

Pass 4 Jul 2024 211,915 miles

rear exhaust corroded

Fail 2 Jul 2024 211,915 miles

Front Registration plate inscription illegible (0.1 (b))

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

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced floor (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively damaged significantly reducing structural strength inner sill /axle mount (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength inner wing (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength inner arch/ sill end cap (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Parking brake lever has excessive movement indicating incorrect adjustment (1.1.6 (c))

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

rear exhaust corroded

Pass 20 Jul 2023 207,435 miles
Fail 11 Jul 2023 207,435 miles

Front Brake disc significantly and obviously worn (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Nearside Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

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

Offside Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced arch (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Registration plate lamp does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamps (4.7.2 (a))

Front Brakes imbalanced across an axle by more than 50% (1.2.1 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

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

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

Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Rear Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Pass 15 Jul 2022 202,474 miles
Pass 9 Jul 2021 196,584 miles

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

Nearside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Pass 16 Jul 2020 192,274 miles

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

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

rear exhaust corroded

Fail 6 Jul 2020 192,132 miles

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

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers likely to become detached (5.3.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

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

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

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

rear exhaust corroded

Pass 25 Jun 2019 187,017 miles

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

both front shock absorber casings corroded

Fail 18 Jun 2019 187,018 miles

Brake pipe excessively corroded front to o/s rear hose (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

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

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

both front shock absorber casings corroded

Pass 8 Jun 2018 180,622 miles

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

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

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

Fail 5 Jun 2018 180,608 miles

Brake pipe excessively corroded front to n/s rear by fuel tank (1.1.11 (c))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

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

Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

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

Pass 7 Jun 2017 171,575 miles

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

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

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

oil leak

Fail 7 Jun 2017 171,575 miles

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

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

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

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

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

oil leak

Pass 9 Jun 2016 168,340 miles

Damage to rear nearside.

Front No.plate in poor condition.

Front suspension legs corroded.

Oil leaks in steering rack area.

Fail 8 Jun 2016 168,340 miles

Main beam 'tell-tale' not working (1.7.4c)

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Damage to rear nearside.

Front No.plate in poor condition.

Front suspension legs corroded.

Oil leaks in steering rack area.

Pass 4 Jun 2015 160,455 miles

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

Nearside Rear Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

rear exhaust section deteriorated

Fail 4 Jun 2015 160,455 miles

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

Nearside Rear Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

rear exhaust section deteriorated

Pass 2 Jun 2014 146,334 miles

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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

rear exhaust section deteriorated

Fail 2 Jun 2014 146,334 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 Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

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

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

rear exhaust section deteriorated

Pass 11 Jan 2013 129,551 miles

General underbody corrosion developing to chassis and suspension components.

Fail 9 Jan 2013 129,473 miles

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

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

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)

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

General underbody corrosion developing to chassis and suspension components.

Pass 9 Jan 2012 117,296 miles

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

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

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

sill covers fitted at time of test

slight deterioration to rear box

Pass 6 Jan 2011 106,850 miles
Fail 5 Jan 2011 106,850 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 21 Dec 2009 94,766 miles

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

Rear offside seat belt not inspected becaus child safety seat fitted.

Fail 21 Dec 2009 94,766 miles

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

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

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

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

Rear offside seat belt not inspected becaus child safety seat fitted.

Fail 22 Dec 2008 84,355 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Pass 22 Dec 2008 84,355 miles
Pass 7 Jan 2008 72,935 miles
Pass 30 Dec 2006 67,085 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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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

S551 GDV is a 1999 Saab 9-3 in Grey with a 2,171cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 32 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 56.3%.

Across all 1999 Saab 9-3 models, the average MOT pass rate is 70.8% with a typical mileage of 98,368 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 S551 GDV, 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 27 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 S551 GDV?

You can check the full history of S551 GDV by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was S551 GDV registered?

S551 GDV is a 1999 Saab 9-3, first registered on 5 January 1999.

Is S551 GDV safe to buy?

The MOT history for S551 GDV shows 32 tests with a 56.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does S551 GDV 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 S551 GDV. 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.