Whatever Happened to the Wheeler Dealers’ 2002 Saab 9-3 Turbo Convertible?

A Forgotten Wheeler Dealers Saab Resurfaces — Thanks to Oscar’s Garage

More than a decade after it appeared on Wheeler Dealers, the 2002 Saab 9-3 Turbo Convertible (reg VA02 PTU) has resurfaced—and the credit goes entirely to Oscar, the man behind the YouTube channel Oscar’s Garage.

In his video titled Whatever Happened to the Wheeler Dealers SAAB 9-3 Turbo?, Oscar revisits this once-TV-famous Saab and sets out to uncover what became of it after its brief brush with automotive fame. Known for tracking the fates of “TV cars” and obscure classics, Oscar uses a mix of historical knowledge, MOT data, and online sleuthing to provide a surprisingly rich narrative of this car’s two-decade journey.

What Happened in the Wheeler Dealers Episode?

Oscar begins his video with a concise recap of the original Wheeler Dealers episode aired in May 2011:

• Mike Brewer bought the 2002 Saab 9-3 Turbo Convertible for £2,400.
• Edd China carried out several key repairs:
  New spark plugs, turbo coil pack, ignition barrel, minor interior trim, dent removal, and installation of a steering rack brace kit—a notable upgrade for structural stability.
• The total spent on repairs: £960
• The car was sold for £3,750, netting just £390 in profit.

Oscar notes that, at the time, this was among the newest vehicles featured on the show—picked perhaps to demonstrate affordability, even in newer turbocharged convertibles.

Oscar’s Hunt: Tracing VA02 PTU

The heart of Oscar’s investigation lies in what happened after the show – and he leaves no stone unturned.

Using MOT records, he constructs a timeline:

• 2011: Passed MOT shortly before filming; failed the next one just a month later.
• 2012–2014: Significant usage—over 20,000 miles in two years.
• 2015–2019: On-and-off MOT results, nothing catastrophic.
• 2019 & 2021: Two ownership changes.
• 2023: Major MOT failure due to severe underbody corrosion; mileage reached 156,000.
• July 2024: The twist—a clean MOT pass with no advisories. The Saab is alive.

Despite this surprising return, Oscar reports that he found zero trace of the car across all known Saab forums, Facebook groups, or enthusiast circles. As he explains, some Wheeler Dealers cars vanish into the used car pool, losing their celebrity aura—and this seems to be one of them.

Not All TV Cars Become Icons

Oscar is quick to point out something rarely discussed: this Saab is one of the only Wheeler Dealers cars to lose value over time. As of 2025, Practical Classics lists a condition 1 example of this model at £2,400—exactly what Mike paid in 2011.

That’s a net loss of £1,350 compared to the show’s sale price.

While many TV-featured vehicles (especially classic British sports cars or rare imports) appreciate thanks to their media fame, this Saab demonstrates how not all exposure leads to collector value—especially for cars that straddle the line between cult and common.

The Saab-Specific Fixes: Still Holding Up?

Oscar highlights one repair that deserves renewed appreciation: the steering rack brace kit. This mod, installed by Edd China in 2011, addressed a known weakness in the Saab 9-3’s front end. Owners of these cars know the issue well—flex and steering vagueness caused by subframe movement under load.

Oscar notes that this kind of focused repair is what kept the car viable for over 150,000 miles and likely helped it pass that 2024 MOT.

Parallel Import? Another Clue from Oscar

Digging deeper, Oscar finds that VA02 PTU was listed with import/export status. At first glance, it looked like the car had left the UK. But a closer read shows that the car was likely a parallel import from new, brought in around the end of SAAB’s formal UK operations.

This adds an extra layer of intrigue and may explain some service inconsistencies or parts challenges that occurred in its early years.

Oscar’s Key Takeaways

In typical Oscar’s Garage fashion, the video is not just a detective story—it’s a lesson in automotive reality. His key takeaways include:

• TV fame doesn’t equal collector status.
• MOT records are invaluable for tracking a car’s history.
• Quality repairs can extend life far beyond expectations.
• Even “forgettable” Saabs can quietly endure, outliving expectations and still surprising us years later.

Watch the Full Video

For those who want the full story, with visuals, charts, and Oscar’s uniquely calm and factual delivery, the video is embedded below:

and don’t forget to subscribe to Oscar’s Garage for more deep dives into classic and forgotten cars.