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

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

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

• Engine oil leaks2.6× usual
  Saab 9-5

  23.4% All 2009 cars

  9.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.3% of all 2009 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.

• Flexible brake hoses3.1× usual
  Saab 9-5

  8.1% All 2009 cars

  2.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, 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.

• Number plates2× usual
  Saab 9-5

  9.7% All 2009 cars

  4.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.5% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

• Engine warning light3.1× usual
  Saab 9-5

  6.8% All 2009 cars

  2.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.8%, 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.

• Suspension arm2.4× usual
  Saab 9-5

  7.5% All 2009 cars

  3.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, 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.

Common 2009 Saab 9-5 petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2009 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
  36% 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
  27% 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
  26% 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
  25% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  22% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Exhaust and emissions
  8% 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 2009 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 2.6× as often on the 2009 Saab 9-5 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the flexible brake hoses? (Flagged at MOT 3.1× as often on the 2009 Saab 9-5 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the number plates? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2009 Saab 9-5 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?