1998 Saab 9000 Cse — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 499 MOT tests analysed for the 1998 Saab 9000 Cse, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, brakes and body, structure & corrosion. Its pass rate of 73.2% was below the average for cars of a similar age (76.0%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 28.1% in the 150k+ group versus 21.6% in the 60-90k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.6% | 93 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.4% | 72 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.2% | 51 |
| 4 | Suspension | 9.4% | 47 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.0% | 25 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.6% | 23 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp | 61 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 39 |
| 3 | Rbt (sp) | 39 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 33 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 30 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 29 |
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 | 36.9% | 184 |
| 2 | Suspension | 29.5% | 147 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 23.1% | 115 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.0% | 100 |
| 5 | Tyres | 19.2% | 96 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 16.8% | 84 |
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 | 37 | 21.6% |
| 90-120k | 84 | 26.2% |
| 120-150k | 113 | 26.6% |
| 150k+ | 235 | 28.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 133 | 23.3% |
| 2022 | 117 | 29.1% |
| 2023 | 101 | 30.7% |
| 2024 | 84 | 28.6% |
| 2025 | 64 | 21.9% |
What to check before buying a 1998 9000 Cse
Before buying a 1998 Saab 9000 Cse, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 18.6% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (18.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (14.4% 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 (10.2% 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 1998 Saab 9000 Cses pass their MOT?
73.2% of the 499 1998 Saab 9000 Cse MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 Saab 9000 Cse?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.6% of tests, followed by brakes (14.4%).
Does the 1998 9000 Cse get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.6% in the 60-90k band to 28.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 499 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.