2009 Saab 9-5 (first used 2009) MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

In 2025, 70.0% of Saab 9-5s first used in 2009 passed their MOT first time, against 58.3% for all cars first used in 2009. Across 1,916 9-5 first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, noise, emissions and leaks and suspension.

This page analyses first MOT tests for Saab 9-5s first used in 2009 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.

Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026

Passed first time, 2025
70.0%
of 576 first tests; all cars first used in 2009: 58.3%. Fixed-at-the-test counts as a fail
Tests analysed
1,916
first tests, 2023–2025; 576 in 2025
Clean pass, 2025
28.8%
of 576 first tests in 2025, passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded
Typical mileage, tested in 2025
115,500
middle half: 84,500–146,500 miles; all cars first used in 2009: 100,000

How the 2009 Saab 9-5 MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, 9-5s first used in 2009 against all cars first used in 2009 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the 9-5 figure was 11.7 points higher.

2009 9-5All cars first used in 2009
50%60%70%20212022202320242025Test year (first tests)All cars first used in 2009, test year 2021: 60.5%All cars first used in 2009, test year 2022: 60.1%All cars first used in 2009, test year 2023: 59%All cars first used in 2009, test year 2024: 58.4%All cars first used in 2009, test year 2025: 58.3%2009 9-5, test year 2021: 63.8%2009 9-5, test year 2022: 64.8%2009 9-5, test year 2023: 64.7%2009 9-5, test year 2024: 66.8%2009 9-5, test year 2025: 70%70%58.3%
View this chart as a table
Test year2009 9-5All cars first used 20099-5 first tests
202163.8%60.5%803
202264.8%60.1%739
202364.7%59.0%699
202466.8%58.4%641
202570.0%58.3%576

Common 2009 Saab 9-5 MOT failures

Share of the 633 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment44.2%
Noise, emissions and leaks30.2%
Suspension28.1%
Brakes27.8%
Tyres18.8%
Body, chassis, structure9.3%
Visibility7.4%

Most common failure items

DVSA failure itemShare of failed first testsTests
Position lamp: not working22.9%145
Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction12.8%81
Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction8.5%54
Parking brake efficiency (sp): efficiency below requirements8.2%52

Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.

What to check on a 2009 Saab 9-5 before buying

The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.

  1. Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
  2. Engine and emissions. Worth checking that the engine warning light goes out after starting, looking for oil leaks under the car, and noticing any smoke from the exhaust.
  3. Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.

Common 2009 Saab 9-5 MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2009 9-5s, as a share of all 1,916 first tests, 2023–2025.

DVSA advisory itemShare of first testsTests
Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive16.7%320
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge16.5%317
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened11.8%227
Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened9.9%189
Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened9.8%187

Questions about the 2009 Saab 9-5 MOT

What is the MOT pass rate of a 2009 Saab 9-5?

In 2025, 70.0% of 9-5s first used in 2009 passed their MOT first time, against 58.3% for all cars first used in 2009. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

What does a 2009 9-5 most often fail its MOT on?

Lamps and electrical equipment (in 44.2% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), noise, emissions and leaks (30.2%) and suspension (28.1%). The single most common item was “Position lamp: not working” (22.9%).

How often does a 2009 Saab 9-5 fail its MOT?

In 2025, 30.0% of first tests on 9-5s first used in 2009 did not pass first time: 25.2% failed, and a further 4.9% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 633 of 1,916 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 2009 Saab 9-5 MOT advisories?

“Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (on 16.7% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (16.5%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (11.8%), “Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened” (9.9%) and “Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened” (9.8%).

Is a 2009 Saab 9-5 reliable?

An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 63.8% in 2021 to 70.0% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

Other cars first used in 2009

The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.

2009 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2009 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2009 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2009 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2009 Vauxhall Astra MOT statistics

How the 2009 Saab 9-5 MOT data is calculated

Every number on this page is calculated by SortedCars from DVSA’s anonymised MOT test data for Great Britain, 2021–2025. “2009 9-5” means a Saab 9-5 whose date of first use falls in 2009 (58, 09 and 59 plates), all trims grouped. Class 4 vehicles, first tests only — retests are not counted. Pass rate = passed ÷ all first tests; a car with a fault fixed during the test (PRS) counts as a fail. Our national first-test pass rate matches DVSA’s published figure (table DVSA/MOT/01) to within 0.04 points in every year. Clean pass = passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded. Mileage is the reading recorded at the test. Comparisons are with all cars first used in 2009, any make or fuel, and are not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use. Failure and advisory item names are DVSA’s own wording. No figure is shown for fewer than 500 tests; an item is shown only if it appears on at least 50 tests and 1% of the base. Pass rates describe a group of cars, not one car: a well-kept example can pass and a neglected one can fail. This page is general information, not advice about any particular vehicle; always have a used car inspected before you buy. SortedCars is not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. You can check any car’s MOT history free on the official service: gov.uk/check-mot-history. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.