Saab 900 I 16V Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Saab 900 I 16V car check
Is the Saab 900 I 16V reliable? We analysed 1,215 real MOT tests across 269 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Saab 900 I 16V? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Saab 900 I 16V is below average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include parking brake: efficiency below requirements, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm and parking brake recording little or no effort. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Saab 900 I 16V.
Saab 900 I 16V Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Saab 900 I 16V. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Saab 900 I 16V MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Saab 900 I 16V to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Saab 900 I 16V Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Saab 900 I 16V fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Saab 900 I 16V Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Saab 900 I 16V owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Saab 900 I 16V MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Saab 900 I 16V year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 192 | 64.1% | 101,240 | 121,330 | 149,747 |
| 1992 | 130 | 60.8% | 120,013 | 136,596 | 161,398 |
| 1991 | 284 | 63.4% | 113,766 | 135,938 | 162,102 |
| 1990 | 428 | 63.1% | 119,252 | 135,813 | 158,180 |
| 1989 | 132 | 68.9% | 102,128 | 138,340 | 172,595 |
How Long Does a Saab 900 I 16V Last?
Based on 269 Saab 900 I 16V vehicles on UK roads.
Saab 900 I 16V Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Saab 900 I 16V MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Saab 900 I 16V
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
68.9% MOT pass rate from 132 tests
60.8% MOT pass rate from 130 tests
The best year to buy a used Saab 900 I 16V is 1989, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 68.9% across 132 tests. The 1992 model year has the lowest pass rate at 60.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Saab 900 I 16V Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saab 900 I 16V THIS CAR | 63.9% | 1,215 | 135,368 mi | 37 yrs |
| Saab 9-3 | 73.6% | 2,294,034 | 88,441 mi | 28 yrs |
| Saab 9-5 | 74.3% | 735,114 | 97,615 mi | 29 yrs |
| Saab 900 | 67.7% | 358,142 | 113,382 mi | 39 yrs |
| Pilgrim Cobra | 84.2% | 1,256 | 7,521 mi | 55 yrs |
Compared to the Saab 9-3 (73.6% pass rate) and the Saab 9-5 (74.3% pass rate), the Saab 900 I 16V trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Saab 900 I 16V you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Saab 900 I 16VShould you buy a used Saab 900 I 16V?
The Saab 900 I 16V has an overall MOT pass rate of 63.9% across 1,215 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.
The most common problems on the Saab 900 I 16V are parking brake: efficiency below requirements (92 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (77), and parking brake recording little or no effort (65). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Saab 900 I 16V owner drives around 3,938 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Saab 900 I 16V models stay on UK roads for around 37 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.