1995 Saab 900 — MOT failures & pass rate
617 MOT tests on the 1995 Saab 900 are in this dataset, and 74.2% of them passed. Against executive cars of a similar age (21.3% fail rate), the 1995 900 comes out 4.4pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.2% of tests against 11.0% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, wipers and headlamp aim — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 48 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 15.5% in the 30-60k band and 21.7% in the 150k+ band, a 6.2-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 31.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 23.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 28.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.2% | 94 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.0% | 68 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.8% | 54 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.8% | 42 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.5% | 40 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.3% | 39 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 48 |
| 2 | Wipers | 30 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 29 |
| 4 | Side repeaters | 26 |
| 5 | Exhaust system | 26 |
| 6 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 24 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 31.1% | 192 |
| 2 | Brakes | 30.1% | 186 |
| 3 | Tyres | 20.4% | 126 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 18.6% | 115 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.1% | 112 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 13.9% | 86 |
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 | 58 | 15.5% |
| 60-90k | 138 | 21.0% |
| 90-120k | 169 | 29.6% |
| 120-150k | 152 | 32.9% |
| 150k+ | 69 | 21.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 161 | 23.6% |
| 2022 | 145 | 26.9% |
| 2023 | 114 | 28.1% |
| 2024 | 98 | 22.4% |
| 2025 | 99 | 28.3% |
What to check before buying a 1995 900
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 15.2% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (15.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (11.0% 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 (8.8% 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 1995 Saab 900s pass their MOT?
74.2% of the 617 1995 Saab 900 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1995 Saab 900?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.2% of tests, followed by brakes (11.0%).
Does the 1995 900 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.5% in the 30-60k band to 21.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 617 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.