Saab 96 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Saab 96 car check
Is the Saab 96 reliable? We analysed 2,523 real MOT tests across 307 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Saab 96? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Saab 96 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, parking brake: efficiency below requirements and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Saab 96.
Saab 96 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Saab 96. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Saab 96 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Saab 96 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Saab 96 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Saab 96 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Saab 96 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Saab 96 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Saab 96 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Saab 96 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | 153 | 75.2% | 24,682 | 42,207 | 73,862 |
| 1975 | 55 | 70.9% | 20,518 | 31,568 | 37,766 |
| 1974 | 296 | 66.9% | 21,857 | 38,594 | 72,635 |
| 1973 | 341 | 73.6% | 22,242 | 49,628 | 79,942 |
| 1972 | 503 | 76.1% | 29,212 | 62,332 | 79,407 |
| 1971 | 250 | 79.6% | 41,039 | 54,377 | 79,479 |
| 1970 | 58 | 77.6% | 19,884 | 23,886 | 40,770 |
| 1968 | 51 | 82.4% | 5,822 | 31,163 | 71,284 |
| 1967 | 53 | 75.5% | 10,804 | 35,254 | 42,210 |
| 1966 | 185 | 82.2% | 33,625 | 59,698 | 82,064 |
| 1964 | 82 | 74.4% | 11,667 | 22,492 | 40,626 |
| 1963 | 134 | 84.3% | 20,244 | 26,014 | 42,689 |
| 1962 | 74 | 89.2% | 30,281 | 65,664 | 72,193 |
How Long Does a Saab 96 Last?
Based on 307 Saab 96 vehicles on UK roads.
Saab 96 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Saab 96 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 96
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
89.2% MOT pass rate from 74 tests
66.9% MOT pass rate from 296 tests
The best year to buy a used Saab 96 is 1962, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 89.2% across 74 tests. The 1974 model year has the lowest pass rate at 66.9% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Saab 96 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saab 96 THIS CAR | 77.3% | 2,523 | 47,572 mi | 64 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 |
| Honda Crm 250 | 82.4% | 1,083 | 13,846 mi | 35 yrs |
Compared to the Saab 9-3 (73.6% pass rate) and the Saab 9-5 (74.3% pass rate), the Saab 96 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Saab 96 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 96Should you buy a used Saab 96?
The Saab 96 has an overall MOT pass rate of 77.3% across 2,523 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Saab 96 are suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (179 recorded failures), parking brake: efficiency below requirements (87), and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (84). 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 96 owner drives around 449 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 96 models stay on UK roads for around 64 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.