1993 Saab 900 — MOT failures & pass rate
2,594 MOT tests on the 1993 Saab 900 are in this dataset, and 74.1% of them passed. Executive cars of a similar age fail 20.3% of the time, so this is 5.5pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (13.6%) and brakes (12.1%) 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, catalyst emissions and rbt (sp) — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 313 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 11.3% in the 30-60k band and 27.6% in the 150k+ band, a 16.3-point spread — more than double.
Emissions & environmental is the most common advisory, noted on 23.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 27.5% in 2021 to 25.7% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.6% | 352 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.1% | 314 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 8.9% | 232 |
| 4 | Suspension | 8.9% | 231 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.4% | 192 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.3% | 164 |
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 | 313 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 279 |
| 3 | Rbt (sp) | 152 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 139 |
| 5 | Washers | 126 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 87 |
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 | 23.8% | 616 |
| 2 | Brakes | 23.1% | 600 |
| 3 | Suspension | 22.6% | 586 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.0% | 440 |
| 5 | Tyres | 15.7% | 408 |
| 6 | Steering | 9.0% | 234 |
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 | 71 | 11.3% |
| 60-90k | 266 | 20.3% |
| 90-120k | 422 | 21.6% |
| 120-150k | 719 | 29.3% |
| 150k+ | 1,102 | 27.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 572 | 27.5% |
| 2022 | 532 | 23.1% |
| 2023 | 516 | 26.4% |
| 2024 | 511 | 26.6% |
| 2025 | 463 | 25.7% |
What to check before buying a 1993 900
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 13.6% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (13.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.1% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (8.9% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 1993 Saab 900s pass their MOT?
74.1% of the 2,594 1993 Saab 900 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1993 Saab 900?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.6% of tests, followed by brakes (12.1%).
Does the 1993 900 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.3% in the 30-60k band to 27.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,594 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.