Car statistics
How many Saab 9-5s are still on the road in Great Britain, how many are declared off the road, how new registrations have changed and which fuels they use. Built from DVLA licensing records and 6,813 DVSA MOT tests.
There were 5,623 Saab 9-5s licensed in Great Britain at the end of March 2026, and a further 4,493 declared off the road (SORN). That is 88.5% fewer than the peak of 48,993 in 2008.
Numbers peaked in 2008 and have fallen every year since, as older cars are scrapped faster than new ones are registered.
| Year | Licensed |
|---|---|
| 1997 | 671 |
| 1998 | 6,880 |
| 1999 | 13,746 |
| 2000 | 19,784 |
| 2001 | 24,953 |
| 2002 | 30,999 |
| 2003 | 34,970 |
| 2004 | 39,691 |
| 2005 | 44,449 |
| 2006 | 47,104 |
| 2007 | 48,888 |
| 2008 | 48,993 |
| 2009 | 48,247 |
| 2010 | 46,435 |
| 2011 | 43,544 |
| 2012 | 40,151 |
| 2013 | 36,515 |
| 2014 | 32,599 |
| 2015 | 29,173 |
| 2016 | 25,744 |
| 2017 | 22,192 |
| 2018 | 18,729 |
| 2019 | 15,724 |
| 2020 | 13,337 |
| 2021 | 11,266 |
| 2022 | 9,600 |
| 2023 | 8,159 |
| 2024 | 6,847 |
| 2025 | 5,863 |
| 2026 | 5,623 |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated
Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated
4 versions of the Saab 9-5 have their own page. The figures above include every version; each version page covers only the cars DVLA records under that version’s name.
| Version | Licensed | SORN |
|---|---|---|
| Saab 9-5 Aero | 1,412 | 1,201 |
| Saab 9-5 Vector Sport | 293 | 121 |
| Saab 9-5 Aero AN Hot | 150 | 48 |
| Saab 9-5 Aero TURBO4 | 86 | 18 |
In 2025, 65.6% of Saab 9-5 MOT tests were passed first time, against 72.8% for all cars. Cars of the same ages as the Saab 9-5s tested pass 59.6% of the time, so the Saab 9-5 does better than average for its age, by 6.0 points. In 2024 its pass rate was 64.0%.
Comparing like with like: each bar pair covers cars of the same age, so an older average age does not count against a model.
| Vehicle age | Saab 9-5 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 15–19 years | 66.3% | 58.0% |
| 20+ years | 63.8% | 61.0% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment is the most common reason a Saab 9-5 fails its MOT, appearing on 47.6% of failed tests. A failed test can have defects in more than one category, so shares add up to more than 100%. 8.1% of Saab 9-5 tests found at least one dangerous defect, against 7.3% for all cars.
| Defect category | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 47.6% |
| Suspension | 34.3% |
| Brakes | 29.2% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 20.6% |
| Tyres | 18.7% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 15.3% |
| Visibility | 11.5% |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 6.2% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
The single most common reason a Saab 9-5 failed its MOT in 2025 was “Position lamp: not working”, on 15.8% of 2,345 failed tests. 69.8% of tests ended with at least one advisory, a problem to watch that did not fail the test; the most common was “Engine oil leak, but not excessive”. The same fault on any wheel or side counts once.
Share of failed tests with each defect. A test can fail for more than one.
| Defect | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Position lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 15.8% |
| Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction Noise, emissions and leaks | 11.4% |
| Parking brake efficiency below requirements Brakes | 8.5% |
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 6.6% |
| Component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Suspension | 6.1% |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively Visibility | 5.5% |
| Tyres: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm Tyres | 5.3% |
| Tyres: ply or cords exposed Tyres | 5.3% |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken Suspension | 4.9% |
| Drive shafts: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Body, chassis, structure | 4.7% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Share of all tests with each advisory: worth checking on a car you are buying.
| Advisory | Share of tests |
|---|---|
| Engine oil leak, but not excessive Noise, emissions and leaks | 25.6% |
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge Tyres | 17.5% |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened Brakes | 12.5% |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material Brakes | 11.1% |
| Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened Suspension | 11.0% |
| Suspension arms: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Suspension | 10.6% |
| Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened Suspension | 10.3% |
| Tyres: slightly damaged or cracking or perishing Tyres | 9.0% |
| Coil spring: corroded Suspension | 8.5% |
| Registration plates: deteriorated but not likely to be misread Identification of the vehicle | 8.3% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
7 years of the Saab 9-5, by year of first registration, have their own page with MOT results, common faults, mileage and how many are left. Against all cars of the same age, the 2009 cars did best at their 2025 MOT (70.1% passed first time) and the 2006 cars worst (61.0%).
| Year | Registered | Left | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | – | 1,006 | 65.5% |
| 2005 | – | 1,136 | 62.7% |
| 2006 | – | 1,134 | 61.0% |
| 2007 | – | 1,068 | 65.6% |
| 2008 | – | 897 | 67.5% |
| 2009 | – | 614 | 70.1% |
| 2010 | – | 644 | 70.2% |
Registered: cars on the DVLA record at the end of the year they were first registered (these counts start in 2014, so older years show a dash). Left: licensed or declared SORN at the end of 2025. Both cover the United Kingdom. Pass rate: first-time passes at normal MOT tests in Great Britain in 2025; all cars: every car first registered the same year.
The average Saab 9-5 covers 4,858 miles a year, worked out from odometer readings at consecutive MOT tests.
| Vehicle age | Miles a year |
|---|---|
| 11–14 years | 5,574 |
| 15–19 years | 5,394 |
| 20+ years | 4,102 |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Registrations of Saab 9-5s for the first time in Great Britain peaked at 6,160 in 2002. In 2025, 1 were registered. With almost none registered new, the number on the road is likely to keep falling.
| Year | First registrations |
|---|---|
| ’01 | 5,720 |
| ’02 | 6,160 |
| ’03 | 4,598 |
| ’04 | 5,238 |
| ’05 | 5,326 |
| ’06 | 4,217 |
| ’07 | 3,164 |
| ’08 | 2,108 |
| ’09 | 1,045 |
| ’10 | 954 |
| ’11 | 613 |
| ’12 | 39 |
| ’13 | 14 |
| ’14 | 4 |
| ’15 | 5 |
| ’16 | 6 |
| ’17 | 6 |
| ’18 | 2 |
| ’19 | 4 |
| ’20 | 1 |
| ’21 | 2 |
| ’22 | 3 |
| ’23 | 3 |
| ’24 | 4 |
| ’25 | 1 |
Source:DfT / DVLA 2001 to 2025 Updated
Of the 5,973 Saab 9-5s licensed in the UK at the end of 2025, 47.2% have an engine of 1,901cc to 2,000cc, and 47.1% have an engine of 2,201cc to 2,300cc. The share with an engine of 2,101cc to 2,200cc has fallen from 14.0% in 2014 to 3.6%. Diesels made up 35.1% of those licensed in 2014 and 30.0% in 2025.
DVLA records engine size in 100cc bands.
| Engine size | Share of those licensed |
|---|---|
| 1,901cc to 2,000cc 2,818 licensed | 47.2% |
| 2,201cc to 2,300cc 2,811 licensed | 47.1% |
| 2,101cc to 2,200cc 217 licensed | 3.6% |
| 2,901cc to 3,000cc 69 licensed | 1.2% |
| Other sizes 58 licensed | 1.0% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
| Engine size | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2,201–2,300cc | Petrol | 2,779 | 46.5% |
| 1,901–2,000cc | Diesel | 1,539 | 25.8% |
| 1,901–2,000cc | Petrol | 1,248 | 20.9% |
| 2,101–2,200cc | Diesel | 217 | 3.6% |
Share of those licensed at the end of each year, for the most common sizes.
| Year | 1,901–2,000cc | 2,201–2,300cc | 2,101–2,200cc | 2,901–3,000cc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 44.1% | 38.1% | 14.0% | 3.3% |
| 2015 | 44.6% | 37.9% | 13.9% | 3.0% |
| 2016 | 45.4% | 37.8% | 13.5% | 2.7% |
| 2017 | 46.4% | 38.3% | 12.5% | 2.3% |
| 2018 | 47.4% | 39.1% | 11.0% | 2.0% |
| 2019 | 48.2% | 39.9% | 9.5% | 1.9% |
| 2020 | 48.8% | 40.5% | 8.5% | 1.6% |
| 2021 | 48.9% | 41.7% | 7.2% | 1.6% |
| 2022 | 49.0% | 43.1% | 6.0% | 1.3% |
| 2023 | 48.7% | 44.4% | 5.0% | 1.1% |
| 2024 | 47.8% | 45.8% | 4.4% | 1.1% |
| 2025 | 47.2% | 47.1% | 3.6% | 1.2% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
Share of those licensed at the end of each year.
| Year | Petrol | Diesel | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 64.0% | 35.1% | 0.9% |
| 2015 | 62.9% | 36.2% | 1.0% |
| 2016 | 61.9% | 37.1% | 0.9% |
| 2017 | 61.7% | 37.3% | 1.0% |
| 2018 | 61.9% | 37.1% | 1.1% |
| 2019 | 62.0% | 36.8% | 1.2% |
| 2020 | 62.4% | 36.5% | 1.1% |
| 2021 | 63.5% | 35.5% | 1.0% |
| 2022 | 64.4% | 34.5% | 1.1% |
| 2023 | 66.1% | 32.8% | 1.1% |
| 2024 | 67.7% | 31.3% | 0.9% |
| 2025 | 69.0% | 30.0% | 1.0% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
United Kingdom figures from DfT table VEH0220 (licensed cars at the end of each year, SORN excluded), so they differ slightly from the Great Britain counts elsewhere on this page. How we use engine sizes.
The Vehicle Certification Agency’s new car data lists the Saab 9-5 from 2000, when the data begins, to 2011. On the NEDC test (listings 2000 to 2011), official combined fuel economy for its petrol, diesel and other fuel versions ranges from 24.8 to 53.3 mpg, with CO2 of 139 to 271 g/km.
| Engine and fuel | Combined mpg | CO2 g/km | Listed | Euro standard | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 petrol | 36.2 | 179 | 2011 | Euro 5 | 1 |
| 2.0 petrol | 26.2–34.4 | 189–258 | 2000–2011 | Euro 3 to Euro 5 | 53 |
| 2.3 petrol | 26.4–32.1 | 209–256 | 2000–2010 | Euro 3 to Euro 4 | 86 |
| 2.8 petrol | 26.6 | 244 | 2011 | Euro 5 | 1 |
| 3.0 petrol | 24.8–25.4 | 263–271 | 2000–2005 | Euro 3 | 6 |
| 1.9 diesel | 37.2–44.1 | 174–204 | 2006–2010 | Euro 4 | 26 |
| 2.0 diesel | 41.5–53.3 | 139–179 | 2011 | Euro 5 | 4 |
| 2.2 diesel | 37.2–42.8 | 175–202 | 2002–2005 | Euro 3 | 4 |
| 3.0 diesel | 37.2–38.7 | 191–202 | 2002–2005 | Euro 3 | 2 |
| 2.0 other fuel | 26.6–32.8 | 204–251 | 2008–2010 | Euro 4 | 18 |
| 2.3 other fuel | 27.4–31.7 | 212–246 | 2008–2009 | Euro 4 | 12 |
Source:VCA July 2000 to 15 September 2026 Updated
DVSA lists 4 safety recalls for the Saab 9-5 since 1992, the first in 2002. The most recent was launched on 3 December 2010.
All 4 Saab 9-5 recalls, with defects, remedies and build dates
A recall applies to cars built on particular dates or with particular VINs, not to every Saab 9-5. The details come from manufacturers through DVSA, which says they may be delayed or incomplete. To check a specific car, use GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check or ask the manufacturer or a dealer. How we match recalls to models.
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis January 1992 to September 2026 Updated
| Figures | Source | Period | Records | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed and SORN counts | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | End of March 2026 | 10,116 9-5 records (licensed and SORN) | 15 September 2026 |
| Registered for the first time | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | 2001 to 2025 | – | 15 September 2026 |
| MOT results and mileage | Anonymised MOT tests and results Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency Derived statistics UK Motoring | 2025 | 6,813 MOT tests | 15 September 2026 |
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
