1996 Saab 9000 Cse — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 331 MOT tests analysed for the 1996 Saab 9000 Cse, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, brakes and body, structure & corrosion. Its pass rate of 74.9% was below the average for cars of a similar age (76.8%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 25.2% in the 150k+ group versus 19.4% in the 60-90k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.8% | 59 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.7% | 52 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.5% | 38 |
| 4 | Suspension | 8.2% | 27 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.7% | 22 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.5% | 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 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 22 |
| 3 | Rbt (sp) | 22 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 17 |
| 5 | Washers | 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 | Suspension | 28.1% | 93 |
| 2 | Brakes | 27.8% | 92 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.5% | 68 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 17.2% | 57 |
| 5 | Tyres | 15.1% | 50 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 14.8% | 49 |
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 | 71 | 25.4% |
| 120-150k | 66 | 28.8% |
| 150k+ | 155 | 25.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 79 | 22.8% |
| 2022 | 83 | 30.1% |
| 2023 | 58 | 22.4% |
| 2024 | 56 | 25.0% |
| 2025 | 55 | 23.6% |
What to check before buying a 1996 9000 Cse
Before buying a 1996 Saab 9000 Cse, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 17.8% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (17.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (15.7% 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 (11.5% 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?
74.9% of the 331 1996 Saab 9000 Cse MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1996 Saab 9000 Cse?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.8% of tests, followed by brakes (15.7%).
Does the 1996 9000 Cse get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.4% in the 60-90k band to 25.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 331 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.