1997 Saab 9000 Cse — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 954 MOT tests, the 1997 Saab 9000 Cse recorded a 73.6% pass rate. That is 1.3 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 25.1%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.0% of tests against 12.5% 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 100 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 19.0% in the 60-90k band and 31.6% in the 150k+ band, a 12.7-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 27.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 23.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 27.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.0% | 181 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.5% | 119 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.4% | 99 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.0% | 86 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 4.1% | 39 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 3.0% | 29 |
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 | 100 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 78 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 75 |
| 4 | Rbt (sp) | 60 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 46 |
| 6 | Joints | 39 |
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 | 27.7% | 264 |
| 2 | Brakes | 26.8% | 256 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 23.2% | 221 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.5% | 186 |
| 5 | Tyres | 17.0% | 162 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 15.8% | 151 |
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 | 58 | 19.0% |
| 90-120k | 181 | 27.1% |
| 120-150k | 220 | 20.0% |
| 150k+ | 452 | 31.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 231 | 23.8% |
| 2022 | 220 | 27.3% |
| 2023 | 186 | 27.4% |
| 2024 | 168 | 26.8% |
| 2025 | 149 | 27.5% |
What to check before buying a 1997 9000 Cse
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 19.0% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (19.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.5% 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 (10.4% 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 1997 Saab 9000 Cses pass their MOT?
73.6% of the 954 1997 Saab 9000 Cse MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1997 Saab 9000 Cse?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.0% of tests, followed by brakes (12.5%).
Does the 1997 9000 Cse get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.0% in the 60-90k band to 31.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 954 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.