1991 Saab 900 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,550 MOT tests, the 1991 Saab 900 recorded a 74.7% pass rate. Against executive cars of a similar age (19.1% fail rate), the 1991 900 comes out 6.2pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.6% of tests against 11.2% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, headlamp aim and rbt (sp) — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 158 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 1991 900 fails 25.0% of the time in the 30-60k band and 28.5% at 150k+, a spread of only 3.5 points.
Emissions & environmental is the most common advisory, noted on 27.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 27.6% in 2021 to 25.4% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.6% | 227 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.2% | 174 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.2% | 143 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.0% | 109 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.0% | 93 |
| 6 | Steering | 5.5% | 85 |
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 | 158 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 87 |
| 3 | Rbt (sp) | 86 |
| 4 | Flexible brake hoses | 72 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 65 |
| 6 | Washers | 63 |
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 | 27.1% | 420 |
| 2 | Brakes | 26.7% | 414 |
| 3 | Suspension | 22.0% | 341 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.2% | 282 |
| 5 | Tyres | 16.3% | 252 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 12.5% | 194 |
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 | 32 | 25.0% |
| 60-90k | 179 | 16.2% |
| 90-120k | 268 | 22.0% |
| 120-150k | 400 | 26.3% |
| 150k+ | 669 | 28.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 351 | 27.6% |
| 2022 | 333 | 26.1% |
| 2023 | 297 | 24.6% |
| 2024 | 286 | 22.0% |
| 2025 | 283 | 25.4% |
What to check before buying a 1991 900
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 14.6% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (14.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (11.2% 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 (9.2% 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 1991 Saab 900s pass their MOT?
74.7% of the 1,550 1991 Saab 900 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1991 Saab 900?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.6% of tests, followed by brakes (11.2%).
Does the 1991 900 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.0% in the 30-60k band to 28.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,550 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.