Saab 9-3 Linear MOT Pass Rate & Official DVSA Failure Statistics

Saab 9-3 Linear MOT History and Failure Rates vs UK National Average

The Saab 9-3 Linear passed on its first attempt in 70.4%, and its overall record sits −4.8 percentage points below the national average for all cars. These figures come from every recorded DVSA MOT test for the Saab 9-3 Linear in the 2023–2025 data: 958 tests across 8 model years (2005–2012). A test still carries exactly one pass or fail verdict.

Figures are computed from every recorded DVSA test for this model in the 2023–2025 data.

Most Common Saab 9-3 Linear MOT Problems by Failure Category

Every MOT failure a tester records belongs to one inspection section of the DVSA manual. For the Saab 9-3 Linear, the Suspension section leads the record — the breakdown below shows where the recorded failures cluster, then the exact strings behind the three biggest sections.

Shares are over the Saab 9-3 Linear's recorded defect strings, merged across its year pages.

Top Recorded Saab 9-3 Linear DVSA MOT Test Statistics & Defect Descriptions

The descriptions below are the exact DVSA failure strings testers recorded most often for the Saab 9-3 Linear, each with how many of the model's 958 tests it was noted on.

• "Registration plate lamp(s) inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources" (Minor) — noted on about 48 Saab 9-3 Linear tests, 5.0% of the model's MOT record.
• "Coil spring fractured or broken" (Major) — noted on about 38 Saab 9-3 Linear tests, 4.0% of the model's MOT record.
• "Ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated" (Minor) — noted on about 31 Saab 9-3 Linear tests, 3.2% of the model's MOT record.
• "Headlamp lens slightly defective" (Minor) — noted on about 22 Saab 9-3 Linear tests, 2.3% of the model's MOT record.
• "Rbt (sp) efficiency below requirements" (Major) — noted on about 19 Saab 9-3 Linear tests, 2.0% of the model's MOT record.
• "Linkage ball joint dust cover ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt" (Major) — noted on about 18 Saab 9-3 Linear tests, 1.9% of the model's MOT record.

Best and Worst Saab 9-3 Linear Model Years by Pass Rate

The strongest Saab 9-3 Linear model year on record is 2010 (78.8% across 85 tests), and the weakest is 2009 (70.8%). The gap between them is 8.0 points. Years with fewer than 50 recorded tests are excluded, so these are the years with enough MOT history to mean something.

Saab 9-3 Linear reliability is improving in the DVSA data — the pass rate moves about 0.9 points a year across the most recent model years shown above.

Newest model year first. Only years with at least 50 recorded tests are listed.

Pre-MOT Inspection Checklist for Saab 9-3 Linear Owners

These checks follow this Saab 9-3 Linear's own most-recorded failure strings, starting with what a tester is most likely to flag on a Saab 9-3 Linear.

• the lights — “registration plate lamp(s) inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources”

  Switch everything on and walk round the car: both headlamps on dip and main, every indicator, both brake lights, reverse, fog and the two number-plate lamps. A bulb is a few pounds and a five-minute job.

• the coil springs — “coil spring fractured or broken”

  Look up inside each wheel arch with a torch, all the way round the spring. A snapped spring usually breaks at the very bottom coil, where a quick glance will not reach.

• the suspension joints — “ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated”

  With the car parked on level ground, rock the top of each front wheel in and out while someone watches the suspension arm. Clunks, or rubber boots split and greasy, are what testers record here.

Derived from the DVSA failure strings testers recorded for the Saab 9-3 Linear. A check that finds nothing means the item is likely fine, not that the test is guaranteed.

Frequently Asked Questions: Saab 9-3 Linear MOT & Reliability