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XAZ 7959

1998 Saab 9-3

Black Petrol 1985cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires17 Dec 2026
Tests31 (20 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate64.5%

Mileage

96,971 mi
Last recorded96,971 miles
Recorded on1 Dec 2025
Typical for 1998 Saab 9-3103,203 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationXAZ 7959
MakeSaab
Model9-3
Year1998
ColourBlack
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

20 pass 11 fail
Pass 1 Dec 2025 96,971 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 18 Dec 2024 96,339 miles

Hydraulic leak, but not excessive power steering (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

Fail 11 Dec 2024 96,339 miles

Nearside Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (6.1.7 (g) (ii))

Nearside Front Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Macpherson strut corroded and seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Hydraulic leak, but not excessive power steering (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

Pass 5 Dec 2023 95,996 miles

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

Pass 15 Dec 2022 95,640 miles

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

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

Offside Rear Brake cable damaged but not to excess (1.1.15 (a))

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

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

steering rack has slight seepage

Fail 2 Dec 2022 95,620 miles

Nearside Front Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced floor (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced floor (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

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

Offside Rear Brake cable damaged but not to excess (1.1.15 (a))

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

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

steering rack has slight seepage

Pass 7 Dec 2021 95,111 miles

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

Offside Rear Brake cable damaged but not to excess (1.1.15 (a))

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

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component rack (2.1.5 (a))

Fail 2 Dec 2021 95,087 miles

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength wheel tub (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear Brake cable damaged but not to excess (1.1.15 (a))

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

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component rack (2.1.5 (a))

Pass 8 Dec 2020 94,597 miles

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

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

Fail 7 Dec 2020 94,592 miles

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

Nearside Front Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (6.1.7 (g) (ii))

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

Brake pipe leaking on a hydraulic braking system front to rear at bulkhead (1.1.11 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Service brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.2.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

Pass 6 Jun 2019 93,704 miles

Nearside Rear All direction indicators slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Rear All direction indicators slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

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

Vehicles internal headlight adjuster altered to recheck lights ()

Fail 4 Jun 2019 93,699 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Exhaust silencer insecure rubber mount missing (8.1.1 (b) (i))

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

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Tyre has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Vehicles internal headlight adjuster altered to recheck lights ()

Nearside Rear All direction indicators slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Rear All direction indicators slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

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

Pass 14 Jun 2018 92,556 miles

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

Vehicles internal headlight adjuster altered to recheck lights ()

both rear brake hose ferrels corroded

Fail 5 Jun 2018 92,555 miles

Brake fluid contaminated (1.8 (a))

Emissions not tested (8.2.1.2 (d))

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

Nearside Brake pipe excessively corroded front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Floor excessively deteriorated (6.2.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Floor excessively deteriorated (6.2.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

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

Vehicles internal headlight adjuster altered to recheck lights ()

both rear brake hose ferrels corroded

spare wheel carrier corroded

Fail 17 May 2018 92,548 miles

Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded both rear (3.6.B.4e)

Brake pipe excessively corroded both front to rear (3.6.B.2c)

Emissions not tested (7.3.A.1)

Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

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

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

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

Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded rear boot floor (2.4.A.3)

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

rear tyres cracking up and getting low inner side

Pass 15 May 2017 91,085 miles

slight play in rear axel bushes

slight rust under vehicle

Pass 17 May 2016 90,053 miles

flexi furrel corroded o/s/r

oil marks under engine

rear axel corroded

rear brake pipes rusty

rust under floor

Pass 13 May 2015 88,332 miles

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

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

oil marks on engine

rear tyres cracking up

Pass 15 May 2014 87,052 miles

offside front inner wing corroded

rear tyres slightly perished

slight oil leaks to engine

Pass 9 May 2013 85,838 miles

Nearside Front 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 pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Oil leak

Pass 15 May 2012 84,587 miles

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

Oil leak

both front wiper blades split

exhaust heatshield loose

Pass 13 May 2011 82,660 miles

Oil leak

Pass 6 May 2010 81,538 miles
Fail 6 May 2010 81,533 miles

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

Pass 29 Apr 2009 79,434 miles

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

Fail 29 Apr 2009 79,434 miles

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

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

Rear brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

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

Pass 30 Apr 2008 76,863 miles
Fail 30 Apr 2008 76,863 miles

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 4 Apr 2007 74,834 miles
Fail 31 Oct 2006 72,888 miles

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

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

Offside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 31 Oct 2006 72,888 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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XAZ 7959 is a 1998 Saab 9-3 in Black with a 1,985cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 31 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 64.5%.

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 XAZ 7959, 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 XAZ 7959?

You can check the full history of XAZ 7959 by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was XAZ 7959 registered?

XAZ 7959 is a 1998 Saab 9-3, first registered on 31 December 1998.

Is XAZ 7959 safe to buy?

The MOT history for XAZ 7959 shows 31 tests with a 64.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does XAZ 7959 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 XAZ 7959. 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.