Saab 9-5 reliability, MPG and running costs
Figures updated
The Saab 9-5 is a car. In 2024 MOT tests it scored 127 for reliability (100 is average), ranking 121 of 442, and 35.0% failed first time against a UK average of 28.5%. Its most common MOT failure is position lamp (5.9% of tests).
Ranked 121 of 442 cars in the 2024 MOT Reliability League
In 2024, 6,397 Saab 9-5s aged 3 to 20 had an MOT and 35.0% failed first time (UK average 28.5%). Taking age and mileage into account, the Saab 9-5 is 21% less likely to fail than the average car of the same age and mileage.
First-time fail rate
35.0%
UK 28.5%
Fail rate at 3 years
–
UK 12.7%
Average miles a year
7,500
Typical age at test: 17 years
Saab 9-5 MOT failure rate by age
Most common Saab 9-5 MOT faults
- Position lamp: not working5.9% of tests
- Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction5.0% of tests
- Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements2.7% of tests
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.3% of tests
- Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.3% of tests
- Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.2% of tests
What the Saab 9-5 fails on
| Area | Tests failing | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 16.7% | ▼ 24% less often |
| Suspension | 10.9% | ▼ 40% less often |
| Brakes | 10.5% | ▼ 21% less often |
| Exhaust and emissions | 8.0% | ▲ 1.2× as often |
| Tyres | 7.0% | About average |
| Body and structure | 5.0% | ▼ 42% less often |
| Visibility | 3.5% | ▼ 51% less often |
| Seat belts and airbags | 1.8% | ▼ 32% less often |
| Steering | 1.4% | ▼ 67% less often |
| Wheels | 0.5% | ▼ 18% less often |
What MPG does the Saab 9-5 do?
Official economy for the Saab 9-5 ranges from 25 to 44.1mpg across the 120 versions listed by the Vehicle Certification Agency (2004–2010). A typical petrol version manages 31mpg and a typical diesel 41.5mpg. Expect 10–15% less in real-world driving.
Work out a journey's fuel costHow much is road tax on a Saab 9-5?
Any Saab 9-5 first registered from April 2017 pays the standard rate of £200 a year after its first year (2026/27 rates). A Saab 9-5 registered between March 2001 and March 2017 is taxed on its CO2: £325 to £790 a year.
Work out tax for a specific carSaab 9-5 specs and running costs
Official figures for 120 versions sold in the UK between 2004 and 2010.
Fuel types
Diesel, Petrol, Plug-in hybrid
Official economy
25.0–44.1 mpg
CO2
174–268 g/km
| Version | Fuel | Economy | CO2 | Car tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9-5 Saloon 1.9TiD (150ps)M5 · listed 2010 | Diesel | 44.1 mpg | 174g | £325 |
| 9-5 Saloon 1.9TiD (150ps)A5 · listed 2010 | Diesel | 38.2 mpg | 199g | £410 |
| 9-5 Estate 1.9TiD (150ps)M5 · listed 2010 | Diesel | 41.5 mpg | 184g | £360 |
| 9-5 Estate 1.9TiD (150ps)A5 · listed 2010 | Diesel | 37.2 mpg | 204g | £445 |
| 9-5 Saloon 2.0T (150ps)M5 · listed 2010 | Petrol | 32.8 mpg | 204g | £445 |
| 9-5 Saloon 2.0T (150ps)A5 · listed 2010 | Petrol | 27.4 mpg | 244g | £760 |
| 9-5 Saloon 2.3T (260ps)M5 · listed 2010 | Petrol | 31.7 mpg | 213g | £445 |
| 9-5 Saloon 2.3T (260ps)A5 · listed 2010 | Petrol | 27.7 mpg | 244g | £760 |
| 9-5 Estate 2.0T (150ps)M5 · listed 2010 | Petrol | 31.4 mpg | 214g | £445 |
| 9-5 Estate 2.0T (150ps)A5 · listed 2010 | Petrol | 26.6 mpg | 251g | £760 |
| 9-5 Estate 2.3T (260ps)M5 · listed 2010 | Petrol | 31.7 mpg | 214g | £445 |
| 9-5 Estate 2.3T (260ps)A5 · listed 2010 | Petrol | 27.7 mpg | 244g | £760 |
| 9-5 Saloon 2.0T BioPower (180ps)M5 · listed 2010 | Plug-in hybrid | 32.8 mpg | 204g | £445 |
| 9-5 Saloon 2.0T BioPower (180ps)A5 · listed 2010 | Plug-in hybrid | 27.4 mpg | 244g | £760 |
| 9-5 Estate 2.0T BioPower (180ps)M5 · listed 2010 | Plug-in hybrid | 31.4 mpg | 214g | £445 |
Economy and CO2 are official NEDC (before 2018) or WLTP figures. Car tax is the yearly rate at current rates for a car first registered in the year listed, before any expensive car supplement. Showing the 15 most recent of 120 versions.
What a Saab 9-5 costs to fuel
- petrol, typical official 31mpg…
- diesel, typical official 41.5mpg…
Official figures are usually 10–15% better than real-world driving.
Work out a journey in a Saab 9-5Buying a used Saab 9-5?
Check the MOT history of the exact car: every result, advisory and mileage reading, free.
Other Saab models
Frequently asked questions
›Is the Saab 9-5 reliable?
Its MOT record is better than average: the Saab 9-5 is 21% less likely to fail than the average car of the same age and mileage, with a reliability score of 127 in our 2024 league (100 is average).
›What are common problems with the Saab 9-5?
The most common MOT fault is “Position lamp: not working”, found in 5.9% of tests.
›What MPG does the Saab 9-5 do?
Official economy for the Saab 9-5 ranges from 25 to 44.1mpg across the 120 versions listed by the Vehicle Certification Agency (2004–2010). A typical petrol version manages 31mpg and a typical diesel 41.5mpg. Expect 10–15% less in real-world driving.
›How much is road tax on a Saab 9-5?
Any Saab 9-5 first registered from April 2017 pays the standard rate of £200 a year after its first year (2026/27 rates). A Saab 9-5 registered between March 2001 and March 2017 is taxed on its CO2: £325 to £790 a year.
›How many Saab 9-5s fail their MOT?
35.0% of Saab 9-5s aged 3 to 20 failed their MOT first time in 2024.
Sources: DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2024, all versions of the Saab 9-5 combined (Open Government Licence v3.0); official economy and CO2 from Vehicle Certification Agency data, © Crown copyright. VCA cannot accept liability for its accuracy. How we calculate the league.