1992 Saab 900 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1992 Saab 900 passed 73.9% of its 2,233 recorded MOT tests. Executive cars of a similar age fail 19.8% of the time, so this is 6.3pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (14.4%) and brakes (12.2%) 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 washers — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 220 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 29.1% versus 15.4%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: emissions & environmental was flagged on 27.2% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.4% | 321 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.2% | 273 |
| 3 | Visibility | 7.9% | 177 |
| 4 | Suspension | 7.9% | 176 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.9% | 176 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.9% | 131 |
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 | 220 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 138 |
| 3 | Washers | 128 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 121 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 109 |
| 6 | Flexible brake hoses | 82 |
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 | 27.2% | 608 |
| 2 | Brakes | 25.8% | 575 |
| 3 | Suspension | 21.3% | 475 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.3% | 409 |
| 5 | Tyres | 16.2% | 361 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 9.0% | 200 |
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 | 52 | 15.4% |
| 60-90k | 256 | 19.5% |
| 90-120k | 521 | 26.3% |
| 120-150k | 497 | 24.8% |
| 150k+ | 905 | 29.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 487 | 27.7% |
| 2022 | 490 | 26.7% |
| 2023 | 463 | 24.6% |
| 2024 | 402 | 24.4% |
| 2025 | 391 | 26.6% |
What to check before buying a 1992 900
On a 1992 900, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (14.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.2% 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.
- Visibility (7.9% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
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 1992 Saab 900s pass their MOT?
73.9% of the 2,233 1992 Saab 900 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1992 Saab 900?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.4% of tests, followed by brakes (12.2%).
Does the 1992 900 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.4% in the 30-60k band to 29.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,233 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.