Saab 9000 Cse MOT pass rate & common failures
2,078 MOT tests on the Saab 9000 Cse (1992–2001) give it a 73.8% pass rate. That is 1.1 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 25.0%. Its most common failure areas are lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.3% of tests against 13.3% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and component mounting prescribed areas — headlamp aim alone was recorded 200 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 29.6% versus 13.7%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 29.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
By model year
Every 9000 Cse model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 55 | 67.3% | 32.7% | Brakes |
| 1994 | 108 | 75.9% | 24.1% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1995 | 113 | 75.2% | 24.8% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1996 | 340 | 75.6% | 24.4% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1997 | 954 | 73.6% | 26.4% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1998 | 499 | 73.2% | 26.9% | Lighting & signalling |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.3% | 381 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.3% | 276 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.9% | 206 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.8% | 204 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 4.6% | 96 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.9% | 80 |
| 7 | Tyres | 2.7% | 56 |
| 8 | Seat belts & restraints | 2.5% | 53 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 200 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 171 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 163 |
| 4 | Rbt (sp) | 143 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 100 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 87 |
| 7 | Joints | 84 |
| 8 | Pins and bushes | 77 |
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 | 29.6% | 615 |
| 2 | Brakes | 29.5% | 614 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 22.4% | 465 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.8% | 412 |
| 5 | Tyres | 17.3% | 360 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 16.3% | 338 |
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 | 51 | 13.7% |
| 60-90k | 160 | 19.4% |
| 90-120k | 403 | 25.8% |
| 120-150k | 487 | 24.0% |
| 150k+ | 944 | 29.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 533 | 24.4% |
| 2022 | 498 | 27.9% |
| 2023 | 399 | 27.3% |
| 2024 | 346 | 26.0% |
| 2025 | 302 | 25.2% |
What to check before buying a Saab 9000 Cse
- Lighting & signalling (18.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (13.3% 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 (9.9% 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
What is the MOT pass rate for the Saab 9000 Cse?
73.8% of the 2,078 Saab 9000 Cse MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 26.2% fail rate, across model years 1992–2001.
What does the Saab 9000 Cse most often fail its MOT on?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.3% of tests, then brakes (13.3%).
How much does mileage affect 9000 Cse MOT results?
Fail rates run at 13.7% for cars in the 30-60k band and 29.6% for 150k+, a 15.8-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,078 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.