How much does a 2012 SAAB 9-3 LINEAR SE TURBO cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,047 (£171/month), including £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2012 SAAB 9-3 LINEAR SE TURBO?

The 2012 SAAB 9-3 LINEAR SE TURBO has a 86% MOT pass rate based on 37 tests in 2026. This ranks 242 out of 685 cars from 2012.

SAAB 9-3 LINEAR SE TURBO (2012)

Q: Is the 2012 SAAB 9-3 LINEAR SE TURBO reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 86% of SAAB 9-3 LINEAR SE TURBOs from 2012 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 37 tests. That's 4 points above the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2012 SAAB 9-3 LINEAR SE TURBO?

The average mileage for a 2012 SAAB 9-3 LINEAR SE TURBO is 80,250 miles, which is below the expected 103,600 miles for a 14-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 37 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,047

£171/month

MOT Pass Rate

86%

Good

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1998cc Petrol

Solid Option

86% pass rate, £2047/year to run. Close to the national average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft

£4.99

Check a specific SAAB 9-3 LINEAR SE TURBO

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

Petrol1998cc14 years old37 tests80k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1998cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327

Road Tax

Based on 1998cc

£315

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£2,047

Per month£171/mo

Per week£39/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

🛡️

Get an insurance quote for this SAAB 9-3 LINEAR SE TURBO

Compare quotes and find the best deal

Reliability Verdict

86% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the SAAB brand average of 75%.

At 14 years old, 86% of SAAB 9-3 LINEAR SE TURBOs from 2012 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 37 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 80,250 miles.

Got a SAAB 9-3 LINEAR SE TURBO you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2012 cars242th of 685(top 35%)

Rank among SAAB models2nd of 73(top 3%)

vs national average+4%(82% avg)

vs 2012 cars average+8%(78% avg)

vs SAAB average+11%(75% avg)

Mileage Analysis

80,250

Average miles

103,600

Expected for age

The average 2012 SAAB 9-3 LINEAR SE TURBO has 80,250 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 103,600 miles for a 14-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Looking at a specific SAAB 9-3 LINEAR SE TURBO?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

Similar Cars to Consider

FORD FOCUS

2013 · 1596cc Petrol

£1,827/year

78%

-8%

NISSAN QASHQAI

2013 · 1600cc Petrol

£1,827/year

72%

-14%

MERCEDES C

2012 · 1796cc Petrol

£2,017/year

79%

-7%

MINI MINI

2010 · 1598cc Petrol

£1,677/year

80%

-6%

Check a Specific Saab 9-3 linear se turbo

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

About the 2012 SAAB 9-3 LINEAR SE TURBO

The 2012 SAAB 9-3 LINEAR SE TURBO is a family car with a 1998cc petrol engine. 37 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 2012, the average MOT pass rate is 78%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 80,250 miles at 14 years old, SAAB 9-3 LINEAR SE TURBO owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2012 SAAB 9-3 LINEAR SE TURBO Fuel Costs

The 1998cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,327 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2012 SAAB 9-3 LINEAR SE TURBO?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,047 (£171/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 86% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Buying a Used 2012 SAAB 9-3 LINEAR SE TURBO

At 14 years old, the SAAB 9-3 LINEAR SE TURBO is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. Note: with only 37 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2012 SAAB 9-3 LINEAR SE TURBO's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 14 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Medium risk

With an average of 80k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2012 SAAB 9-3 LINEAR SE TURBO stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
SAAB 9-3 LINEAR SE TURBO(2012)	86%	£1327	£315	Grp 18-32	£2047
FORD FOCUS(2013)	78%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£220
NISSAN QASHQAI(2013)	72%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£220
MERCEDES C(2012)	79%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017-£30
MINI MINI(2010)	80%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1677-£370

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.