SAAB 9 5 Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 1,102 MOT tests from 60 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®. The figures below describe that VehicleScore® sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are not a claim that every SAAB 9 5 has the same fault.

SAAB 9 5's have a average reliability rating of 494/999. The score was calculated from the average of every SAAB 9 5 that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the SAAB 9 5.

SAAB 9 5 (example)

Check the reliability of your Saab 9-5

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
Diesel	2007	447/999Average	75,419 miles	546 vehicles
Diesel	2003	451/999Average	80,636 miles	800 vehicles
Petrol	2003	449/999Average	81,954 miles	955 vehicles
Diesel	2002	468/999Average	82,868 miles	633 vehicles
Petrol	2002	468/999Average	83,393 miles	1,279 vehicles
Petrol	2001	512/999Above average	85,235 miles	1,749 vehicles
Petrol	2000	546/999Above average	90,709 miles	2,243 vehicles
Petrol	1998	609/999Good	100,660 miles	700 vehicles

How reliable is the SAAB 9 5?

Based on 1,102 MOT tests from 60 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®.

Vehicles

MOT tests

1,102

Pass rate

77.8%

Median mileage

120,840 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every SAAB 9 5 has the same fault. The median VehicleScore® in this sample is 487 out of 999.

Common SAAB 9 5 MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 166 advisory comments and 23 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO THE LEGAL LIMIT (4.1.E.1)

Oil leak

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 68 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 28 advisory comments and 6 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE REAR COIL SPRING CORRODED (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Corrosion

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 29 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record corrosion the tester could see on the body or structure. Corrosion already named on a spring, brake, or other component is counted with that component.

What to inspect

Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

Example MOT wording: FRONT SUB-FRAME CORRODED BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (5.3.3 (B) (I))

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 25 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.

What to inspect

Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT POSITION LAMP NOT WORKING (4.2.1 (A) (II))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 15 advisory comments and 4 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Exhaust

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 14 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record exhaust leaks, insecurity, or other exhaust defects found at inspection.

What to inspect

Listen for blowing from the exhaust and look for corrosion or loose mounts.

Example MOT wording: EXHAUST SYSTEM CORRODED.

Suspension arm issues

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 13 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a worn, corroded, or damaged suspension arm or its pin.

What to inspect

Look for play or corrosion at the arm and ask whether it has been replaced.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT SUSPENSION ARM CORRODED BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (5.3.3 (B) (I))

SAAB 9 5 MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore® has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2009	6	102	81.4%	Shock absorber issues, Suspension arm issues
2008	7	131	81.7%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2007	5	96	79.2%	Tyre wear, Oil leak
2006	7	148	83.1%	Coil spring issues, Suspension arm issues
2005	7	167	73.7%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear

What to check when buying a used SAAB 9 5

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore® sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.
Corrosion. Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.
Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Exhaust. Listen for blowing from the exhaust and look for corrosion or loose mounts.
Suspension arm issues. Look for play or corrosion at the arm and ask whether it has been replaced.

Buying a SAAB 9 5?

Common problems tell you what can affect SAAB 9 5s generally. VehicleScore® can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore® analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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