1996 Saab 9000 Cse — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1996 Saab 9000 Cse passed 75.6% of its 340 recorded MOT tests. All cars of a similar age fail at 24.7%, so the 1996 9000 Cse sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (17.3%) and brakes (15.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, rbt (sp) and component mounting prescribed areas — headlamp aim alone was recorded 31 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 60-90k one: 24.5% versus 19.4%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 28.2% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.3% | 59 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.3% | 52 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.2% | 38 |
| 4 | Suspension | 7.9% | 27 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.5% | 22 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.4% | 15 |
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 | 31 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 22 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 22 |
| 4 | Washers | 17 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 17 |
| 6 | Joints | 16 |
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 | 28.2% | 96 |
| 2 | Suspension | 27.7% | 94 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.0% | 68 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 16.8% | 57 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 15.0% | 51 |
| 6 | Tyres | 14.7% | 50 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 36 | 19.4% |
| 90-120k | 76 | 23.7% |
| 120-150k | 66 | 28.8% |
| 150k+ | 159 | 24.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 81 | 22.2% |
| 2022 | 85 | 29.4% |
| 2023 | 60 | 21.7% |
| 2024 | 57 | 24.6% |
| 2025 | 57 | 22.8% |
What to check before buying a 1996 9000 Cse
On a 1996 9000 Cse, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (17.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (15.3% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (11.2% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
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 9000 Cses pass their MOT?
75.6% of the 340 1996 Saab 9000 Cse MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1996 Saab 9000 Cse?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.3% of tests, followed by brakes (15.3%).
Does the 1996 9000 Cse get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.4% in the 60-90k band to 24.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 340 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.