1990 Saab 900 — MOT failures & pass rate
1,744 MOT tests on the 1990 Saab 900 are in this dataset, and 75.2% of them passed. Against executive cars of a similar age (18.4% fail rate), the 1990 900 comes out 6.5pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 15.5% of all tests — 4.2 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, headlamp aim and rbt (sp) — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 213 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 28.0% versus 22.9%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: emissions & environmental was flagged on 26.8% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.5% | 271 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.3% | 197 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.8% | 171 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.2% | 143 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.5% | 95 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.7% | 65 |
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 | 213 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 110 |
| 3 | Rbt (sp) | 102 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 77 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 72 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 64 |
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 | 26.8% | 467 |
| 2 | Brakes | 20.8% | 363 |
| 3 | Suspension | 20.0% | 349 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.3% | 266 |
| 5 | Tyres | 15.1% | 264 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 9.3% | 162 |
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 | 48 | 22.9% |
| 60-90k | 243 | 17.3% |
| 90-120k | 340 | 26.5% |
| 120-150k | 450 | 23.1% |
| 150k+ | 650 | 28.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 376 | 25.5% |
| 2022 | 378 | 24.1% |
| 2023 | 349 | 24.9% |
| 2024 | 332 | 25.0% |
| 2025 | 309 | 24.6% |
What to check before buying a 1990 900
On a 1990 900, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (15.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (11.3% 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.
- Suspension (9.8% 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 1990 Saab 900s pass their MOT?
75.2% of the 1,744 1990 Saab 900 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1990 Saab 900?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.5% of tests, followed by brakes (11.3%).
Does the 1990 900 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.9% in the 30-60k band to 28.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,744 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.