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S990 JRA

1998 Saab 9-3

Red Petrol 1985cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires6 Oct 2026
Tests30 (19 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate63.3%

Mileage

156,932 mi
Last recorded156,932 miles
Recorded on29 Sep 2025
Typical for 1998 Saab 9-3103,203 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Saab
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Finance
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationS990 JRA
MakeSaab
Model9-3
Year1998
ColourRed
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

19 pass 11 fail
Pass 29 Sep 2025 156,932 miles

Front Windscreen wiper blade defective x2 (3.4 (b) (i))

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

Pass 7 Oct 2024 156,912 miles

Nearside Front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive wing (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Fail 26 Sep 2024 156,908 miles

Nearside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

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

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

Nearside Front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive wing (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Pass 15 Sep 2023 156,899 miles

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Pass 16 Sep 2022 156,897 miles

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Fail 12 Sep 2022 156,892 miles

Nearside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Oil leaking excessively from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

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

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Pass 17 Sep 2021 156,892 miles

Nearside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Offside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

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

Offside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Fail 6 Sep 2021 156,872 miles

Driver's seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. (6.2.5 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired wing (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded to rear (1.1.11 (c))

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

Offside Rear Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Offside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired wing (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake hose leaking on a hydraulic braking system (1.1.12 (c) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

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

Offside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

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

Offside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Pass 14 Sep 2020 156,803 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases FLEX BLOWING. (6.1.2 (a))

Pass 7 Aug 2019 156,488 miles

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

Pass 16 Aug 2018 155,525 miles
Pass 30 Aug 2017 153,130 miles
Fail 24 Aug 2017 153,112 miles

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

Nearside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded wing (2.4.A.3)

Offside Front coil spring broken (2.4.C.1a)

Offside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded wing (2.4.A.3)

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

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

Nearside Rear Brake hose leaking (3.6.A.1) DANGEROUS

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

Offside Rear Brake hose leaking (3.6.A.1) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear tyre cracking

Pass 6 Sep 2016 151,595 miles

Unable to inspect nearside and offside outer sills due to covers fitted

Fail 6 Sep 2016 151,595 miles

Offside Front coil spring broken (2.4.C.1a)

Unable to inspect nearside and offside outer sills due to covers fitted

Pass 17 Aug 2015 149,625 miles

Power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a seal rack (2.3.3b)

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

Fail 14 Aug 2015 149,582 miles

Offside Front coil spring broken (2.4.C.1a)

Power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a seal rack (2.3.3b)

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

Pass 1 Aug 2014 145,952 miles
Fail 1 Aug 2014 145,951 miles

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

Pass 1 Aug 2013 141,011 miles
Fail 1 Aug 2013 141,009 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 24 Aug 2011 128,229 miles

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

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

Fail 24 Aug 2011 128,228 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre has a lump, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b)

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

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

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

Pass 17 Sep 2010 122,617 miles
Fail 17 Sep 2010 122,616 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 17 Aug 2009 114,975 miles
Fail 17 Aug 2009 114,973 miles

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

Pass 11 Aug 2008 106,432 miles
Pass 17 Aug 2007 93,882 miles

Nail in nearside rear tyre

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

Pass 18 Aug 2006 81,755 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.

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S990 JRA is a 1998 Saab 9-3 in Red with a 1,985cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 63.3%.

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 S990 JRA, 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 S990 JRA?

You can check the full history of S990 JRA by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was S990 JRA registered?

S990 JRA is a 1998 Saab 9-3, first registered on 1 August 1998.

Is S990 JRA safe to buy?

The MOT history for S990 JRA shows 30 tests with a 63.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does S990 JRA 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 S990 JRA. 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.