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Saab 900 reliability by build year

Coverage 1978-19982 named generationsHatchbackPETROL
At a glance

Saab 900 built before 2000: about average at the MOT

Saab 900 models built before 2000 fail their MOT a little more often than similar cars the same age. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Check a Saab 900 by number plate

Key figure

29% of MOT tests on Saab 900 models built before 2000 ended in a fail (retests included), against 25% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Saab 900 models built before 2000 involves fluid leaks.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Saab 900's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Leaks

Worth checking

Inspect the leaks carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Suspension

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Exhaust

Worth checking

Listen for blow noises from a cold start; check for rust and leaks at the manifold and cat connections.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your 900's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

900 Classic (99-based)

Classic (99-based) (1978-1993)

Too close to call between ratings
PETROL

28.6% fail rate, built before 2000 (over 25 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 25.2%)

From 2,726 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Saab 900.

See every build year for the Saab 900

By age

Saab 900 fail rate by age

This chart combines every Saab 900 ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
2,72628.6%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 25+ years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 25+ year old Saab 900 models

These issues come from 25+ year old Saab 900 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    28.8%
    Advisory: 802Fail: 12 (1% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Exhaust has a minor leak

    12.7%
    Advisory: 300Fail: 73 (20% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    10.6%
    Advisory: 404Fail: 45 (10% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Suspension mounting area corroded, but not seriously

    10.5%
    Advisory: 295Fail: 260 (47% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    8.6%
    Advisory: 320Fail: 14 (4% of the times it was found)

Based on 2,726 MOT tests on 25+ year old Saab 900 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 25+ year old Saab 900 models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Brakes + Suspension32%
  2. Fuel & oil + Suspension28%
  3. Brakes + Fuel & oil27%
  4. Brakes + Lighting21%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 1,490 MOT tests on Saab 900 cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Saab 900.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

11 recalls in all

9 of the 11 Saab 900 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 9 recalls

Top concerns

  • Unintentional deployment of passenger air bag
  • Possibility of the throttle binding
  • Specification of seat belt tongue

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks to compare

  1. 1

    Ford Sierra

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    11.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    6%
    Dangerous
    1.5%

    Lower fail rate: 11.5%, against 28.6% for the Saab 900, both built before 2000.

    3,022 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  2. 2

    Vauxhall Nova

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15.2%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    6.8%
    Dangerous
    2.2%

    Lower fail rate: 15.2%, against 28.6% for the Saab 900, both built before 2000.

    1,003 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  3. 3

    Ford Escort

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    16.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    9.6%
    Dangerous
    3.8%

    Lower fail rate: 16.8%, against 28.6% for the Saab 900, both built before 2000.

    10,088 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  4. 4

    Austin Mini

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    22.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5.9%
    Dangerous
    4.5%

    Lower fail rate: 22.6%, against 28.6% for the Saab 900, both built before 2000.

    3,373 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built before 2000 (over 25 years old), the Saab 900 across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. This is based on 2,726 25+ year old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Saab 900 ever sold: 2,726 tests. The main figures are for cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old): 2,726 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.