2004 Saab 9-5 petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2004 Saab 9-5 petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2004 Saab 9-5 petrol than on all cars registered in 2004.

• Sub-frame bushes9.2× usual
  Saab 9-5

  4.6% All 2004 cars

  0.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.1% of all 2004 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.

• Seat belts3.1× usual
  Saab 9-5

  4.9% All 2004 cars

  1.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.4%, against 0.6% of all 2004 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.

• Engine warning light2× usual
  Saab 9-5

  6.5% All 2004 cars

  3.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.5%, against 3.2% of all 2004 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.

• Suspension arm1.9× usual
  Saab 9-5

  6.7% All 2004 cars

  3.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.9%, against 0.4% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Rust around sub-frame mountings2.7× usual
  Saab 9-5

  3.2% All 2004 cars

  1.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.3% of all 2004 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.

Common 2004 Saab 9-5 petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2004 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
  45% 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
  35% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Tyres
  27% 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  24% 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.

• 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 2004 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 sub-frame bushes? (Flagged at MOT 9.2× as often on the 2004 Saab 9-5 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the seat belts? (Flagged at MOT 3.1× as often on the 2004 Saab 9-5 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the engine warning light? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2004 Saab 9-5 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?