Saab 99 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Saab 99 car check
Is the Saab 99 reliable? We analysed 4,547 real MOT tests across 608 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Saab 99? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Saab 99 is about 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 brake binding. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Saab 99.
Saab 99 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Saab 99. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Saab 99 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Saab 99 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Saab 99 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Saab 99 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Saab 99 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Saab 99 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Saab 99 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Saab 99 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | 961 | 68.9% | 75,513 | 119,466 | 161,434 |
| 1983 | 879 | 65.5% | 77,975 | 113,608 | 145,240 |
| 1982 | 393 | 70.7% | 70,927 | 87,812 | 112,368 |
| 1981 | 376 | 73.1% | 65,250 | 92,035 | 131,040 |
| 1980 | 493 | 72.4% | 76,854 | 113,018 | 137,553 |
| 1979 | 174 | 73.0% | 41,086 | 62,026 | 91,495 |
| 1978 | 216 | 73.1% | 73,770 | 94,499 | 115,524 |
| 1976 | 90 | 73.3% | 76,831 | 91,966 | 127,739 |
| 1975 | 70 | 74.3% | 39,774 | 59,582 | 90,041 |
| 1974 | 89 | 65.2% | 32,145 | 44,658 | 54,062 |
| 1973 | 112 | 76.8% | 45,472 | 63,084 | 78,711 |
| 1972 | 280 | 68.6% | 41,111 | 59,564 | 86,083 |
| 1971 | 233 | 74.2% | 52,159 | 61,007 | 79,915 |
How Long Does a Saab 99 Last?
Based on 608 Saab 99 vehicles on UK roads.
Saab 99 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Saab 99 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 99
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
76.8% MOT pass rate from 112 tests
65.2% MOT pass rate from 89 tests
The best year to buy a used Saab 99 is 1973, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 76.8% across 112 tests. The 1974 model year has the lowest pass rate at 65.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Saab 99 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saab 99 THIS CAR | 70.3% | 4,547 | 92,159 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 |
| Renault Clio Iconic Sce | 86.1% | 3,761 | 22,522 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Saab 9-3 (73.6% pass rate) and the Saab 9-5 (74.3% pass rate), the Saab 99 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Saab 99 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 99Should you buy a used Saab 99?
The Saab 99 has an overall MOT pass rate of 70.3% across 4,547 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Saab 99 are suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (390 recorded failures), parking brake: efficiency below requirements (245), and brake binding (177). 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 99 owner drives around 826 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 99 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.