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Saab 900 S Auto Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Saab 900 S Auto car check

Is the Saab 900 S Auto reliable? We analysed 1,707 real MOT tests across 412 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 1,707 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
68.7%
Typical Mileage
106,906mi
Annual Mileage
6,144mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
32yrs

The Saab 900 S Auto is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, position lamp(s) not working and brake hose ferrule excessively corroded. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Saab 900 S Auto.

Saab 900 S Auto Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Saab 900 S Auto. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Saab 900 S Auto MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Saab 900 S Auto to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

68.1%
1998
70.8%
1997
68.4%
1996
69.4%
1995
66.4%
1994

Saab 900 S Auto Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Saab 900 S Auto fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 123
position lamp(s) not working 67
Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded 60
Registration plate lamp not working 57
Direction indicator incorrect colour 55
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases 51
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 47
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 45
Brake pipe excessively corroded 41
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 39

Saab 900 S Auto Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Saab 900 S Auto owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
3,684 mi/yr
Typical
6,144 mi/yr
Average
7,103 mi/yr
Heavy usage
9,199 mi/yr

Saab 900 S Auto MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Saab 900 S Auto year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1998 69 68.1% 70,484 86,616 105,238
1997 308 70.8% 78,457 100,021 122,248
1996 497 68.4% 89,283 106,906 126,470
1995 425 69.4% 88,962 108,960 136,146
1994 381 66.4% 93,544 115,179 142,673

How Long Does a Saab 900 S Auto Last?

Based on 412 Saab 900 S Auto vehicles on UK roads.

Average
11.9 years
Median
12.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
32 years

Saab 900 S Auto Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Saab 900 S Auto MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
106,906 mi
75th Percentile
129,871 mi
95th Percentile
174,043 mi
Max Recorded
313,301 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Saab 900 S Auto

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
1997

70.8% MOT pass rate from 308 tests

Year to avoid
1994

66.4% MOT pass rate from 381 tests

The best year to buy a used Saab 900 S Auto is 1997, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 70.8% across 308 tests. The 1994 model year has the lowest pass rate at 66.4% — 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 S Auto Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Saab 900 S Auto THIS CAR 68.7% 1,707 106,906 mi 32 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
Mercedes-benz 311 70% 1,761 123,355 mi 26 yrs

Compared to the Saab 9-3 (73.6% pass rate) and the Saab 9-5 (74.3% pass rate), the Saab 900 S Auto trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Saab 900 S Auto?

The Saab 900 S Auto has an overall MOT pass rate of 68.7% across 1,707 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Saab 900 S Auto are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (123 recorded failures), position lamp(s) not working (67), and brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (60). 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 S Auto owner drives around 6,144 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 S Auto models stay on UK roads for around 32 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.

Saab 900 S Auto — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Saab 900 S Auto reliable?
Based on 1,707 MOT tests, the Saab 900 S Auto has a 68.7% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Saab 900 S Auto?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, position lamp(s) not working, and brake hose ferrule excessively corroded. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Saab 900 S Auto do per year?
The typical Saab 900 S Auto does around 6,144 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Saab 900 S Auto last?
Most Saab 900 S Auto models stay on UK roads for around 32 years based on our analysis of 412 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Saab 900 S Auto?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Saab 900 S Auto?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Saab 900 S Auto is 1997 with a 70.8% pass rate across 308 tests.