Does the Saab 9-3 fail the MOT on noise, emissions and leaks more than it should?
The Saab 9-3 records 6.61 noise, emissions and leaks failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 7.26 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−0.65, 95% interval −0.74 to −0.56). It ranks 393 of 678 models on noise, emissions and leaks (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on noise, emissions and leaks · check a Saab 9-3 by registration
What exactly fails on noise, emissions and leaks?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Saab 9-3 is “Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction”, recorded 7,040 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction | 7,040 | 2.11 |
| Smoke opacity levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limit | 4,358 | 1.30 |
| Emissions test unable to be completed | 2,408 | 0.72 |
| Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer | 2,006 | 0.60 |
| Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users | 1,541 | 0.46 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 334,332 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
If a Saab 9-3 gets a noise, emissions and leaks advisory, how often does it fail next time?
8.0% of Saab 9-3 MOTs with a noise, emissions and leaks advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12.1 months and 4,962 miles later (26,823 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 26,823 (advisories followed) · Method: the same vehicles followed to their next ordinary MOT · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
Saab 9-3 1998 · Saab 9-3 1999 · Saab 9-3 2000 · Saab 9-3 2001 · Saab 9-3 2002 · Saab 9-3 2003 · Saab 9-3 2004 · Saab 9-3 2005 · Saab 9-3 2006 · Saab 9-3 2007 · Saab 9-3 2008 · Saab 9-3 2009 · Saab 9-3 2010 · Saab 9-3 2011 · Saab 9-3 2012 · Saab 9-3 in Norway · Saab 9-3 in Finland · Saab 9-3 in the Netherlands · Saab 9-3 by postcode area · Saab 9-3 body, chassis and structure failures · Saab 9-3 brakes failures · Saab 9-3 vehicle identification failures · Saab 9-3 lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Saab 9-3 road wheels failures · Saab 9-3 seat belts and airbags failures · Saab 9-3 steering failures · Saab 9-3 suspension failures · Saab 9-3 tyres failures · Saab 9-3 visibility failures