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Common problems by part

Saab 9-5 windscreen, wipers and mirrors problems

DVSA MOT tests 2022–2025 · 4,383 MOT tests · Updated

At 17 years, 3.5 in 100 MOT tests of the Saab 9-5 failed on windscreen, wipers and mirrors, against 7.1 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 4,383 MOT tests) [1].

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  • Against all class 4 vehicles the same age: fails less often than all class 4 vehicles the same age (0.4–0.6×) (all test years), 152 MOT tests with a fail
  • By age: seen at 12 ages from 12 to 23 years, 33,143 MOT tests
  • Most common fail: Wipers not clearing screen, 1.8 per 100 MOT tests

Figures are for the model as a whole, not for one car.

What the MOT tests show

What we know

3.5 fails per 100 MOT tests at 17 years, against 7.1 for all class 4 vehicles tested at 17 (all test years). The Saab 9-5 fails less often here.

Why it matters

A windscreen, wipers and mirrors fail stops the car passing until it is fixed; the most common one is rated major by DVSA.

What to check

Check the windscreen for chips or cracks in front of the driver, run the wipers and washers, and make sure both door mirrors are intact and adjust.

Saab 9-5 windscreen, wipers and mirrors fails by age

Saab 9-5 windscreen, wipers and mirrors fails per 100 MOT tests by ageSolid line: the Saab 9-5. Dashed line: all cars the same age. The table below lists every value.0512 years: 1.8 per 100 (all cars 5.2), 1,096 MOT tests1213 years: 2.4 per 100 (all cars 5.6), 1,776 MOT tests1314 years: 3.1 per 100 (all cars 6.1), 2,817 MOT tests1415 years: 3.3 per 100 (all cars 6.5), 3,734 MOT tests1516 years: 3.7 per 100 (all cars 6.8), 4,155 MOT tests1617 years: 3.5 per 100 (all cars 7.1), 4,383 MOT tests1718 years: 4.5 per 100 (all cars 7.3), 4,080 MOT tests1819 years: 4.1 per 100 (all cars 7.5), 3,325 MOT tests1920 years: 4.6 per 100 (all cars 7.6), 2,761 MOT tests2021 years: 4.7 per 100 (all cars 7.5), 2,061 MOT tests2122 years: 5.2 per 100 (all cars 7.4), 1,630 MOT tests2223 years: 6.8 per 100 (all cars 7.3), 1,325 MOT tests23
Fails per 100 MOT tests by age, all first-use years pooled. Saab 9-5 All class 4 vehicles the same age Shaded: over 18 years, survivors only.
AgeMOT testsFails per 100All class 4 vehicles the same age
121,0961.85.2
131,7762.45.6
142,8173.16.1
153,7343.36.5
164,1553.76.8
174,3833.57.1
184,0804.57.3
19*3,3254.17.5
20*2,7614.67.6
21*2,0614.77.5
22*1,6305.27.4
23*1,3256.87.3

All first-use years of the Saab 9-5 pooled at each age, against all class 4 vehicles at that age over all 2022–2025 test years. * Only survivors are still tested at this age.

What fails in the windscreen, wipers and mirrors at 17 years

Fails

Advisories (not fails)

Replace wiper blade cost

Repair figures are estimates, not quotes: how we estimate repair costs.

Buying a Saab 9-5? Check that exact car before the viewing.

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  • Model risks for this year and fuel
  • What similar cars did at their next MOT
  • Repairs ahead
  • Viewing checklist

See a sample report

How to check on a test drive

Check the windscreen for chips or cracks in front of the driver, run the wipers and washers, and make sure both door mirrors are intact and adjust.

The most common advisory here in MOT records: Windscreen: damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view.

Check one Saab 9-5, not the average

The figures here describe Saab 9-5 cars as a group. These free tools answer for one car. Each line says what the tool reads.

Other Saab 9-5 problems

Windscreen, wipers and mirrors on rival models

Questions people ask

Does the Saab 9-5 have more windscreen, wipers and mirrors problems than other cars?

0.4 to 0.6 times the windscreen, wipers and mirrors fail rate of all class 4 vehicles the same age at 17 years (all test years), from 4,383 MOT tests. The interval is clear of 0.8 in the same direction at 4 of the 12 ages seen (ages up to 18 with at least 100 MOT tests with a fail).

How common are Saab 9-5 windscreen, wipers and mirrors problems?

3.5 in 100 MOT tests at 17 years failed on windscreen, wipers and mirrors, against 7.1 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 4,383 MOT tests).

What is the most common Saab 9-5 windscreen, wipers and mirrors fail?

1.8 in 100 MOT tests at 17 years: Wipers not clearing screen (80 MOT tests with it).

Sources

  1. Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2022 to 2025. DVSA MOT data, Open Government Licence v3.0, 33,143 MOT tests. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.
  2. Office for National Statistics, Consumer price inflation, local price quotes (car repair items). ONS price quotes, series 610236. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.

Parts: against all class 4 vehicles at the same age, all 2022–2025 test years pooled, not adjusted for mileage. Breakdowns and non-MOT faults are not in this data. How we compare