2003 Saab 9-5 petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2003 Saab 9-5 petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2003 Saab 9-5 petrol than on all cars registered in 2003.

• Engine oil leaks2× usual
  Saab 9-5

  29.8% All 2003 cars

  15%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.4% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

• Seat belts3.8× usual
  Saab 9-5

  6.4% All 2003 cars

  1.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.4%, against 0.6% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£250 our estimate

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock and retract smoothly.

• Sub-frame bushes8.4× usual
  Saab 9-5

  4.2% All 2003 cars

  0.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 0.1% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

• Individual direction indicators1.9× usual
  Saab 9-5

  6.2% All 2003 cars

  3.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 1.5% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Engine warning light2× usual
  Saab 9-5

  5.3% All 2003 cars

  2.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.3%, against 2.7% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Common 2003 Saab 9-5 petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2003 Saab 9-5 petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  46% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Brakes
  39% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Lights and electrics
  38% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  31% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

• Tyres
  29% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Exhaust and emissions
  14% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for an engine warning light.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2003 Saab 9-5 petrol

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2003 Saab 9-5 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the seat belts? (Flagged at MOT 3.8× as often on the 2003 Saab 9-5 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the sub-frame bushes? (Flagged at MOT 8.4× as often on the 2003 Saab 9-5 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?