MOT History from tests of petrol SAAB 9-5s year 1997

Review the list of common SAAB 9-5 failures below or to perform a specific mot history check on your SAAB then use our popular KnowYourCar service

mot history

Pass percent:72.99%

(The average a petrol SAAB 9-5 year 1997 passes without issue)

Based on:4,551 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Registration plate lamp issues	237
Headlamp aim out of alignment	227
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	156
Brake pipe excessively corroded	150
Registration plate issues	89
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	67
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	63
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	54
Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	45
Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	42
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	42
Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	39
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	34
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	33
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	30
Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	29
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	29
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	26
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	26
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	24
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	23
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	22
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	22
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	22
Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits \|7.3.D.3\|	21
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	19
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	17
Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	17
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	16
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	16
Nearside Rear Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	13
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	13
Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	13
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	13
Windscreen has damage	12
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	12
Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	12
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	12
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` \|8.3.1e\|	11
Rear brake binding	11
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	11
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	11
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	10
Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	10
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	10
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	10
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	10
Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	10
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	9
Nearside Front Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	9
Offside Front Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	9
Offside Rear Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	9
Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault \|5.4.2\|	9
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	9
Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	9
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	8
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	8
Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	8
Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	8
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	8
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	8
Centre Stop lamp emits other than a steady red light \|1.2.1e\|	8
Nearside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	8
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	7
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	7
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	7
Offside Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view \|8.1.2a\|	7
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	7
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive \|7.3.D.3\|	7
Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	6
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	6
Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	6
Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	6
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	6
Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	6
Front brake application uneven	6
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Nearside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	5
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault	5
Offside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users \|1.8.A.1a\|	5
Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	5
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	5
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	5
Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	5
Offside Front Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view \|8.1.2a\|	4
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	4
Front Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	4
Rear Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	4
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	4
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	4
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	4
Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	4
Rear Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	4
Offside Rear Trailing arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	4
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	4
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	4
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	4
Centre Rear Stop lamp emits other than a steady red light \|1.2.1e\|	4
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive \|7.3.D.4\|	4
Offside Obligatory mirror insecure \|8.1.1\|	4
Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	4
Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	4
Centre Rear Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release \|5.2.5a\|	4
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	4
Offside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Power steering pipe\|s\| or hose\|s\| leaking \|2.3.3b\|	4
Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	4
Offside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Nearside Rear Wheel bolt\|s\| missing \|4.2.A.1e\|	4
Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	4

We get to these numbers by trawling through over 1 billion MOT test results since 2004 and crunched the numbers. We remove anything to do with Tyres, as they are model independent and group together common non-model specific issues. We are trying to get to a picture of what models have what issues.

Please note: We take the data from the DVSA. This data is raw and can contain typos and spelling mistakes that garages may have entered while recording a MOT result. Specifically miss-match on names of models and makes. We are constantly cleaning the data so bear with the odd issue.

Got suggestions? We’re improving this section all the time. If you have any suggestions, please let us know.

Most common failures	No# failures
Registration plate lamp issues	237
Headlamp aim out of alignment	227
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	156
Brake pipe excessively corroded	150
Registration plate issues	89
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	67
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	63
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	54
Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	45
Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	42
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	42
Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	39
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	34
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	33
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	30
Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	29
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	29
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	26
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	26
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	24
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	23
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	22
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	22
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	22
Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits \|7.3.D.3\|	21
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	19
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	17
Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	17
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	16
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	16
Nearside Rear Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	13
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	13
Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	13
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	13
Windscreen has damage	12
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	12
Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	12
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	12
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` \|8.3.1e\|	11
Rear brake binding	11
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	11
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	11
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	10
Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	10
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	10
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	10
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	10
Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	10
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	9
Nearside Front Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	9
Offside Front Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	9
Offside Rear Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	9
Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault \|5.4.2\|	9
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	9
Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	9
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	8
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	8
Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	8
Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	8
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	8
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	8
Centre Stop lamp emits other than a steady red light \|1.2.1e\|	8
Nearside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	8
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	7
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	7
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	7
Offside Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view \|8.1.2a\|	7
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	7
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive \|7.3.D.3\|	7
Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	6
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	6
Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	6
Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	6
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	6
Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	6
Front brake application uneven	6
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Nearside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	5
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault	5
Offside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users \|1.8.A.1a\|	5
Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	5
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	5
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	5
Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	5
Offside Front Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view \|8.1.2a\|	4
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	4
Front Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	4
Rear Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	4
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	4
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	4
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	4
Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	4
Rear Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	4
Offside Rear Trailing arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	4
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	4
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	4
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	4
Centre Rear Stop lamp emits other than a steady red light \|1.2.1e\|	4
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive \|7.3.D.4\|	4
Offside Obligatory mirror insecure \|8.1.1\|	4
Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	4
Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	4
Centre Rear Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release \|5.2.5a\|	4
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	4
Offside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Power steering pipe\|s\| or hose\|s\| leaking \|2.3.3b\|	4
Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	4
Offside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Nearside Rear Wheel bolt\|s\| missing \|4.2.A.1e\|	4
Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	4

MOT History from tests of petrol SAAB 9-5s year 1997

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