1997 Saab 900 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,020 MOT tests analysed for the 1997 Saab 900, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 74.9% was below the average for cars of a similar age (76.4%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 34.6% in the 150k+ group versus 21.2% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.8% | 320 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.2% | 205 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.0% | 181 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.7% | 176 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 6.2% | 126 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.7% | 115 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 154 |
| 2 | Exhaust system | 122 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 102 |
| 4 | Wipers | 88 |
| 5 | Prescribed areas | 78 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 77 |
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 | 33.1% | 669 |
| 2 | Suspension | 27.5% | 555 |
| 3 | Tyres | 24.1% | 487 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.2% | 407 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 19.6% | 396 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 17.3% | 349 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 33 | 21.2% |
| 30-60k | 179 | 21.2% |
| 60-90k | 412 | 18.7% |
| 90-120k | 668 | 24.6% |
| 120-150k | 426 | 27.5% |
| 150k+ | 295 | 34.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 548 | 26.8% |
| 2022 | 481 | 24.9% |
| 2023 | 396 | 24.5% |
| 2024 | 313 | 24.0% |
| 2025 | 282 | 24.1% |
What to check before buying a 1997 900
Before buying a 1997 Saab 900, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 15.8% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (15.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.2% 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.
- Brakes (9.0% 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.
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 900s pass their MOT?
74.9% of the 2,020 1997 Saab 900 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1997 Saab 900?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.8% of tests, followed by suspension (10.2%).
Does the 1997 900 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.2% in the 0-30k band to 34.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,020 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.