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Saab 95 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Saab 95 car check

Is the Saab 95 reliable? We analysed 2,807 real MOT tests across 531 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 2,807 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
74.1%
Typical Mileage
95,534mi
Annual Mileage
6,703mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
55yrs

The Saab 95 is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively and position lamp(s) not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Saab 95.

Saab 95 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Saab 95. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Saab 95 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Saab 95 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

77.5%
2007
76.8%
2006
78.9%
2005
79.5%
2004
76.5%
2003
71.1%
2002
78.6%
2001
76.3%
2000
71.8%
1999
72.2%
1998
68.3%
1997
68.1%
1972
65%
1971

Saab 95 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Saab 95 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 124
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 56
position lamp(s) not working 49
Tyre has ply or cords exposed 46
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 44
Direction indicator incorrect colour 40
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 35
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 34
Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush 33
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases 33

Saab 95 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Saab 95 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
3,325 mi/yr
Typical
6,703 mi/yr
Average
7,954 mi/yr
Heavy usage
10,999 mi/yr

Saab 95 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Saab 95 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2007 89 77.5% 60,590 90,203 110,872
2006 69 76.8% 71,906 97,157 117,458
2005 76 78.9% 57,592 102,913 166,482
2004 83 79.5% 25,666 70,098 96,134
2003 81 76.5% 53,131 97,908 170,066
2002 190 71.1% 67,169 94,506 119,161
2001 359 78.6% 58,334 83,233 113,079
2000 325 76.3% 73,574 95,540 128,727
1999 468 71.8% 79,891 104,139 130,138
1998 571 72.2% 90,486 107,259 131,037
1997 126 68.3% 101,340 128,303 151,922
1972 72 68.1% 18,506 21,329 73,675
1971 60 65.0% 73,172 81,206 91,864

How Long Does a Saab 95 Last?

Based on 531 Saab 95 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
11.2 years
Median
8.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
55 years

Saab 95 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Saab 95 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
95,534 mi
75th Percentile
124,430 mi
95th Percentile
172,189 mi
Max Recorded
989,537 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Saab 95

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

Best year
2004

79.5% MOT pass rate from 83 tests

Year to avoid
1971

65.0% MOT pass rate from 60 tests

The best year to buy a used Saab 95 is 2004, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 79.5% across 83 tests. The 1971 model year has the lowest pass rate at 65.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Saab 95 Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Saab 95 THIS CAR 74.1% 2,807 95,534 mi 55 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
Mv Agusta 750F4 S 89.3% 1,734 9,302 mi 26 yrs

Compared to the Saab 9-3 (73.6% pass rate) and the Saab 9-5 (74.3% pass rate), the Saab 95 sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Saab 95?

The Saab 95 has an overall MOT pass rate of 74.1% across 2,807 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Saab 95 are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (124 recorded failures), windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (56), and position lamp(s) not working (49). 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 95 owner drives around 6,703 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 95 models stay on UK roads for around 55 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 95 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Saab 95 reliable?
Based on 2,807 MOT tests, the Saab 95 has a 74.1% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Saab 95?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively, and position lamp(s) not working. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Saab 95 do per year?
The typical Saab 95 does around 6,703 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Saab 95 last?
Most Saab 95 models stay on UK roads for around 55 years based on our analysis of 531 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Saab 95?
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 95?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Saab 95 is 2004 with a 79.5% pass rate across 83 tests.