Is the Saab 9-3 ULEZ Compliant?
Based on 44,752 MOT tests, around 30% of Saab 9-3s still on the road are likely to meet London's ULEZ standards, and about 50% are likely to be charged. For the remaining 21%, it depends on the exact Euro standard or month of registration.
The fuel mix matters: tested cars were 54% petrol, 46% diesel. Petrol 9-3s are generally compliant from 2006, while petrol cars from 2000 or earlier are likely to be charged. Diesel 9-3s in the data are mostly from years that are unlikely to comply.
- Likely compliant
- 30%
- Likely charged
- 50%
- Depends on the car
- 21%
- MOT tests analysed
- 44,752
Check a specific 9-3
Year and fuel type are a guide. Enter the registration to check that car's own record.
9-3 ULEZ compliance by year and fuel
Estimated from the year of first registration. Numbers show how many 9-3s of each type were MOT tested, as a guide to how common they are.
| First registered | Petrol | Diesel |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Likely compliant112 tested | Likely charged100 tested |
| 2011 | Likely compliant448 tested | Likely charged2,147 tested |
| 2010 | Likely compliant804 tested | Likely charged2,971 tested |
| 2009 | Likely compliant1,222 tested | Likely charged2,943 tested |
| 2008 | Likely compliant2,319 tested | Likely charged4,594 tested |
| 2007 | Likely compliant4,198 tested | Likely charged4,076 tested |
| 2006 | Likely compliant4,143 tested | Likely charged2,614 tested |
| 2005 | Check Euro standard3,619 tested | Likely charged690 tested |
| 2004 | Check Euro standard2,643 tested | Likely charged153 tested |
| 2003 | Check Euro standard1,168 tested | Likely charged41 tested |
| 2002 | Check Euro standard931 tested | Likely charged66 tested |
| 2001 | Check Euro standard872 tested | Likely charged45 tested |
| 2000 | Likely charged787 tested | Likely charged17 tested |
| 1999 | Likely charged620 tested | Likely charged10 tested |
| 1998 | Likely charged348 tested | Likely charged1 tested |
How ULEZ rules apply to the 9-3
Cars that miss the standard pay £12.50 for each day they're driven in the zone. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
- Petrol (54% of 9-3s tested): likely compliant from 2006; 2000 and earlier are likely to be charged.
- Diesel (46% of 9-3s tested): most cars in our data are from years unlikely to comply.
Thinking of buying one? Check how 9-3s fare at the MOT too: see the Saab 9-3 MOT failure rate.
Buying a used Saab 9-3 for London: what the MOT data shows
The Saab 9-3s in this data were first registered between 1998 and 2012. 2007 was the most common year, with 8,290 tests (19% of the total), and half were registered in 2007 or later.
9-3s from likely-compliant years passed their MOT first time 62% of the time, at an average of 116,310 miles. Older ones likely to be charged passed 64% of the time with 113,821 miles on average.
On a budget, the oldest petrol 9-3s likely to comply are from 2006. 4,143 of them were tested; 2006 cars passed first time 58% of the time and averaged 117,950 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
Whichever year you choose, check the 9-3's weak spots. The most common MOT failures were suspension: "fractured or broken" (7.3% of tests) and "ball joint excessively worn" (3.5%); lights and electrics: "not working" (5.5%). The most frequent advisory was "tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm", on 16.3% of tests.
Overall, 62% of 9-3s passed first time, well below the 71% average for all cars, and they had covered 114,311 miles on average, more than the 73,145-mile average.
ULEZ compliance for other models
Other Saab models
About this data
Based on 44,752 first MOT tests of the Saab 9-3 carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
ULEZ results are estimates from fuel type and year of first registration. Transport for London makes the final decision.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
What 44,752 MOT tests say about the Saab 9-3 and London's ULEZ.
Is the Saab 9-3 ULEZ compliant?
In our data about 30% of 9-3s on the road are likely compliant and 50% likely to be charged. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
Which petrol 9-3 years are ULEZ compliant?
Petrol 9-3s first registered from 2006 are likely compliant. Some earlier cars meet Euro 4 too, so check the exact vehicle.
Is a diesel 9-3 ULEZ compliant?
Only if it meets Euro 6, which generally means first registered from September 2015. Diesel 9-3s from 2012 or earlier are likely to be charged.
How can I check if a specific 9-3 is ULEZ compliant?
Enter its registration in our free ULEZ check, which uses the vehicle's DVLA record. Always confirm with TfL before relying on it.
Related guides
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Is your 9-3 ULEZ compliant?
Enter the registration for a check based on that car's own DVLA record.