Saab 9000 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Saab 9000 car check
Is the Saab 9000 reliable? We analysed 22,372 real MOT tests across 3,962 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Saab 9000? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Saab 9000 is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include parking brake: efficiency below requirements, constant velocity joint gaiter split and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Saab 9000.
Saab 9000 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Saab 9000. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Saab 9000 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Saab 9000 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Saab 9000 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Saab 9000 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Saab 9000 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Saab 9000 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Saab 9000 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Saab 9000 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 174 | 70.1% | 90,139 | 114,540 | 177,273 |
| 1997 | 3,177 | 67.6% | 115,432 | 143,219 | 178,564 |
| 1996 | 3,315 | 68.8% | 119,665 | 147,422 | 179,501 |
| 1995 | 1,212 | 66.7% | 127,470 | 149,530 | 181,258 |
| 1994 | 891 | 66.2% | 122,040 | 150,008 | 180,276 |
| 1993 | 873 | 64.3% | 124,081 | 157,607 | 186,926 |
| 1992 | 484 | 60.7% | 109,542 | 133,949 | 161,048 |
| 1991 | 4,072 | 64.2% | 107,909 | 138,040 | 170,476 |
| 1990 | 3,824 | 65.2% | 104,180 | 137,170 | 168,854 |
| 1989 | 2,285 | 64.6% | 101,093 | 132,371 | 168,382 |
| 1988 | 1,234 | 66.9% | 98,108 | 125,476 | 158,467 |
| 1987 | 441 | 65.3% | 107,764 | 127,483 | 157,300 |
| 1986 | 312 | 71.2% | 63,040 | 106,298 | 146,714 |
How Long Does a Saab 9000 Last?
Based on 3,962 Saab 9000 vehicles on UK roads.
Saab 9000 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Saab 9000 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 9000
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
71.2% MOT pass rate from 312 tests
60.7% MOT pass rate from 484 tests
The best year to buy a used Saab 9000 is 1986, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 71.2% across 312 tests. The 1992 model year has the lowest pass rate at 60.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Saab 9000 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saab 9000 THIS CAR | 66.1% | 22,372 | 139,798 mi | 40 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 |
| Lambretta LI125 | 88.9% | 16,544 | 2,774 mi | 67 yrs |
Compared to the Saab 9-3 (73.6% pass rate) and the Saab 9-5 (74.3% pass rate), the Saab 9000 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Saab 9000 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 9000Should you buy a used Saab 9000?
The Saab 9000 has an overall MOT pass rate of 66.1% across 22,372 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Saab 9000 are parking brake: efficiency below requirements (1,336 recorded failures), constant velocity joint gaiter split (1,090), and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (903). 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 9000 owner drives around 3,917 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 9000 models stay on UK roads for around 40 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.