2009 Saab 9-5 diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2009 Saab 9-5 diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2009 Saab 9-5 diesel than on all cars registered in 2009.

• Suspension arm4× usual
  Saab 9-5

  12.5% All 2009 cars

  3.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.4% of all 2009 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.

• Diesel smoke emissions6.2× usual
  Saab 9-5

  6.2% All 2009 cars

  1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.1%, against 0.9% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

• Engine warning light3.2× usual
  Saab 9-5

  7.1% All 2009 cars

  2.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.1%, against 2.2% of all 2009 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.

• Sub-frame1.9× usual
  Saab 9-5

  11% All 2009 cars

  5.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.4% of all 2009 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.

• Flexible brake hoses2.2× usual
  Saab 9-5

  5.7% All 2009 cars

  2.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.4% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £50–£200 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look for cracked or bulging rubber hoses behind the wheels and in the engine bay.

Common 2009 Saab 9-5 diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2009 Saab 9-5 diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  44% 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
  34% 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.

• Tyres
  28% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  27% 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
  11% 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
  10% 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 engine or DPF warning lights.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2009 Saab 9-5 diesel

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

1. Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 4× as often on the 2009 Saab 9-5 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the diesel smoke emissions? (Flagged at MOT 6.2× as often on the 2009 Saab 9-5 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the engine warning light? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the 2009 Saab 9-5 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?