Saab 93 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Saab 93 car check
Is the Saab 93 reliable? We analysed 5,805 real MOT tests across 632 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Saab 93? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Saab 93 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 windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Saab 93.
Saab 93 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Saab 93. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Saab 93 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Saab 93 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Saab 93 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Saab 93 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Saab 93 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Saab 93 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Saab 93 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Saab 93 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 78 | 76.9% | 60,228 | 82,889 | 120,343 |
| 2009 | 128 | 75.8% | 39,270 | 68,980 | 114,890 |
| 2008 | 219 | 80.4% | 46,432 | 72,016 | 103,484 |
| 2007 | 326 | 78.2% | 48,888 | 79,092 | 126,752 |
| 2006 | 475 | 76.0% | 53,637 | 88,515 | 115,791 |
| 2005 | 635 | 73.9% | 62,852 | 87,233 | 120,492 |
| 2004 | 480 | 72.3% | 61,586 | 84,184 | 107,342 |
| 2003 | 514 | 75.5% | 53,041 | 74,571 | 100,381 |
| 2002 | 322 | 72.4% | 53,269 | 80,593 | 108,319 |
| 2001 | 415 | 77.8% | 56,818 | 80,865 | 108,350 |
| 2000 | 513 | 73.3% | 72,615 | 92,836 | 118,641 |
| 1999 | 736 | 74.5% | 68,998 | 96,620 | 121,065 |
| 1998 | 857 | 70.0% | 74,627 | 96,721 | 121,708 |
How Long Does a Saab 93 Last?
Based on 632 Saab 93 vehicles on UK roads.
Saab 93 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Saab 93 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 93
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
80.4% MOT pass rate from 219 tests
70.0% MOT pass rate from 857 tests
The best year to buy a used Saab 93 is 2008, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 80.4% across 219 tests. The 1998 model year has the lowest pass rate at 70.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Saab 93 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saab 93 THIS CAR | 74.4% | 5,805 | 87,462 mi | 28 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 |
| Land Rover Series | 69.6% | 2,274 | 49,815 mi | 66 yrs |
Compared to the Saab 9-3 (73.6% pass rate) and the Saab 9-5 (74.3% pass rate), the Saab 93 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Saab 93 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 93Should you buy a used Saab 93?
The Saab 93 has an overall MOT pass rate of 74.4% across 5,805 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Saab 93 are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (218 recorded failures), position lamp(s) not working (122), and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (98). 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 93 owner drives around 6,356 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 93 models stay on UK roads for around 28 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.