Saab 900
Registered from 1990 to 1998.
About this model
The Saab 900 is a mid-sized automobile produced by Swedish manufacturer Saab from 1978 until 1998 in two generations: the first from 1978 to 1994, and the second from 1994 to 1998.
From the Wikipedia article Saab 900, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 1993 2.0 petrol. 135 of 516 tests failed, 26%.
Better than 32% of 1993 cars. The typical one fails 23%, across 93 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 47% | 63 |
| Lights and electrics | 39% | 52 |
| Suspension | 37% | 50 |
| Exhaust and emissions | 36% | 48 |
| Body and structure | 28% | 38 |
| Visibility | 20% | 27 |
The defects inspectors cite
- The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
- Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement
- Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
- Emissions levels exceed default limits
- Exhaust system leaking or insecure
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
Before you buy one
Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.
- Brakes — 47% of its failures
- Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement
- Suspension — 37% of its failures
- The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
- Exhaust and emissions — 36% of its failures
- Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
- Emissions levels exceed default limits
- Exhaust system leaking or insecure
- Lights and electrics — 39% of its failures
- Body and structure — 28% of its failures
- The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
- Visibility — 20% of its failures
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
When it starts failing
Most of these pass at every mileage on record.
| Odometer | Failure rate | Rate | Its age | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80–100k miles | 31% | — | 52 | |
| 100–120k miles | 21% | — | 61 | |
| 120–140k miles | 27% | — | 109 | |
| 140–160k miles | 30% | — | 82 | |
| 160–180k miles | 29% | — | 73 | |
| 180–200k miles | 27% | — | 45 | |
| 200k+ miles | 26% | — | 53 |
475 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.