Saab 900 SE Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Saab 900 SE car check
Is the Saab 900 SE reliable? We analysed 803 real MOT tests across 162 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Saab 900 SE? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Saab 900 SE 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 exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Saab 900 SE.
Saab 900 SE Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Saab 900 SE. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Saab 900 SE MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Saab 900 SE to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Saab 900 SE Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Saab 900 SE fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Saab 900 SE Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Saab 900 SE owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Saab 900 SE MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Saab 900 SE year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 99 | 66.7% | 86,701 | 107,499 | 133,782 |
| 1997 | 310 | 71.6% | 78,083 | 97,662 | 120,134 |
| 1996 | 197 | 65.0% | 83,311 | 104,744 | 131,970 |
| 1995 | 146 | 64.4% | 98,574 | 119,664 | 142,028 |
How Long Does a Saab 900 SE Last?
Based on 162 Saab 900 SE vehicles on UK roads.
Saab 900 SE Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Saab 900 SE 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 SE
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
71.6% MOT pass rate from 310 tests
64.4% MOT pass rate from 146 tests
The best year to buy a used Saab 900 SE is 1997, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 71.6% across 310 tests. The 1995 model year has the lowest pass rate at 64.4% — 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 SE Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saab 900 SE THIS CAR | 67.6% | 803 | 105,407 mi | 31 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 |
| Cpi Aragon 125 | 73% | 403 | 7,407 mi | 18 yrs |
Compared to the Saab 9-3 (73.6% pass rate) and the Saab 9-5 (74.3% pass rate), the Saab 900 SE trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Saab 900 SE 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 SEShould you buy a used Saab 900 SE?
The Saab 900 SE has an overall MOT pass rate of 67.6% across 803 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Saab 900 SE are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (74 recorded failures), position lamp(s) not working (36), and exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (32). 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 SE owner drives around 6,458 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 SE models stay on UK roads for around 31 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.