1996 Saab 900 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,141 MOT tests, the 1996 Saab 900 recorded a 72.7% pass rate. Executive cars of a similar age fail 21.8% of the time, so this is 5.6pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 15.3% of all tests — 5.6 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, exhaust system and catalyst emissions — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 90 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 32.2% versus 13.3%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 32.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 29.7% 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 | 15.3% | 174 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.6% | 110 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.6% | 109 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.4% | 96 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 6.2% | 71 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.3% | 61 |
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 | 90 |
| 2 | Exhaust system | 60 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 55 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 55 |
| 5 | Side repeaters | 54 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 46 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 32.6% | 372 |
| 2 | Suspension | 26.5% | 302 |
| 3 | Tyres | 21.8% | 249 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.6% | 224 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 18.4% | 210 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 12.5% | 143 |
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 | 75 | 13.3% |
| 60-90k | 296 | 23.6% |
| 90-120k | 337 | 28.2% |
| 120-150k | 231 | 32.5% |
| 150k+ | 180 | 32.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 320 | 29.7% |
| 2022 | 267 | 28.8% |
| 2023 | 228 | 26.3% |
| 2024 | 178 | 23.6% |
| 2025 | 148 | 25.7% |
What to check before buying a 1996 900
On a 1996 900, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (15.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (9.6% 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 (9.6% 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 1996 Saab 900s pass their MOT?
72.7% of the 1,141 1996 Saab 900 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1996 Saab 900?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.3% of tests, followed by brakes (9.6%).
Does the 1996 900 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.3% in the 30-60k band to 32.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,141 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.