1987 Saab 900 — MOT failures & pass rate
441 MOT tests on the 1987 Saab 900 are in this dataset, and 72.1% of them passed. Against executive cars of a similar age (17.3% fail rate), the 1987 900 comes out 10.6pp worse. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (13.4%) and lighting & signalling (13.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, rbt (sp) and service brake performance — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 70 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 32.7% versus 42.4%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: emissions & environmental was flagged on 31.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 31.5% in 2021 to 25.6% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 13.4% | 59 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 13.4% | 59 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.1% | 49 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.7% | 47 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.8% | 30 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.6% | 29 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 70 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 33 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 29 |
| 4 | Chassis condition | 28 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 23 |
| 6 | Washers | 21 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emissions & environmental | 31.8% | 140 |
| 2 | Suspension | 20.9% | 92 |
| 3 | Brakes | 19.7% | 87 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.2% | 76 |
| 5 | Tyres | 15.0% | 66 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 7.3% | 32 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 33 | 42.4% |
| 60-90k | 50 | 26.0% |
| 90-120k | 113 | 22.1% |
| 120-150k | 90 | 22.2% |
| 150k+ | 150 | 32.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 92 | 31.5% |
| 2022 | 93 | 31.2% |
| 2023 | 86 | 20.9% |
| 2024 | 88 | 29.5% |
| 2025 | 82 | 25.6% |
What to check before buying a 1987 900
On a 1987 900, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (13.4% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Lighting & signalling (13.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.1% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1987 Saab 900s pass their MOT?
72.1% of the 441 1987 Saab 900 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1987 Saab 900?
Brakes, recorded in 13.4% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (13.4%).
Does the 1987 900 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 42.4% in the 30-60k band to 32.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 441 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.