At a Glance
Saab has 93 identified common problems across 9 models, with the 900 being the most affected model and electrical the most common problem category. Based on 2.7M MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read how we identify common car problems →
Below: per-model breakdowns of Saab common problems, MOT failure rates by category, pass-rate data, and repair patterns drawn from 2.7M DVSA MOT tests across 20 years. Click any model to see generation-specific issues, mileage-banded fault patterns, and the most common MOT failures recorded by UK testers.
MOT Tests & Failures by Model
Top Saab models by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that model's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Saab Common Problems by Model
Select a model to see problems by generation
9-3
Most common: Suspension
9-5
Most common: Brakes
900
Most common: Brakes
9000
Most common: Brakes
96
Most common: Suspension
99
Most common: Brakes
95
Most common: Suspension
Sonett
Most common: Brakes
92
Most common: Brakes
Most Common Saab MOT Failures
Every reason Saab vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 10.17% |
| 2 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 9.13% |
| 3 | Tyre condition | 7.28% |
| 4 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 6.39% |
| 5 | Front lamp not working | 4.93% |
| 6 | Number plate lamp not working | 4.62% |
| 7 | Brake performance below minimum | 4.19% |
| 8 | Brake pads or linings worn | 4.09% |
| 9 | Exhaust system fault | 4.06% |
| 10 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 3.63% |
| 11 | Windscreen washer not working | 3.04% |
| 12 | Stop lamp not working | 3.00% |
| 13 | Headlamp aim defect | 2.78% |
| 14 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 2.60% |
| 15 | Driveshaft fault | 1.87% |
| 16 | Brake disc or drum worn | 1.81% |
| 17 | Position lamp not working | 1.73% |
| 18 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 1.63% |
| 19 | Headlamp fault | 1.46% |
| 20 | Ball joint dust cover split | 1.33% |
| 21 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 1.25% |
| 22 | Track rod end worn | 1.19% |
| 23 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 1.03% |
| 24 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.97% |
| 25 | Parking brake condition | 0.97% |
| 26 | Indicator fault | 0.93% |
| 27 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 0.92% |
| 28 | Seat belt condition | 0.91% |
| 29 | Rear lamp not working | 0.75% |
| 30 | Fog lamp not working | 0.59% |
| 31 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.56% |
| 32 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.55% |
| 33 | ABS fault | 0.53% |
| 34 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.51% |
| 35 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.45% |
| 36 | Airbag warning light on | 0.43% |
| 37 | Horn not working | 0.39% |
| 38 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.38% |
| 39 | Steering rack fault | 0.37% |
| 40 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.36% |
| 41 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.35% |
| 42 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.30% |
| 43 | Front suspension fault | 0.29% |
| 44 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.26% |
| 45 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.25% |
| 46 | Chassis condition | 0.22% |
| 47 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.20% |
| 48 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.19% |
| 49 | Brake fluid leak | 0.16% |
| 50 | Brake lever fault | 0.16% |
| 51 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.16% |
| 52 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.15% |
| 53 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.14% |
| 54 | Engine oil leak | 0.14% |
| 55 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.14% |
| 56 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.13% |
| 57 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.13% |
| 58 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.12% |
| 59 | Brake caliper fault | 0.12% |
| 60 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.11% |
| 61 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.11% |
| 62 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.10% |
| 63 | Steering free play excessive | 0.10% |
| 64 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.10% |
| 65 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.09% |
| 66 | Steering arm worn | 0.08% |
| 67 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.08% |
| 68 | Rear suspension fault | 0.08% |
| 69 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.08% |
| 70 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.08% |
| 71 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.08% |
| 72 | Brake pedal fault | 0.08% |
| 73 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.07% |
| 74 | Steering lock fault | 0.07% |
| 75 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.06% |
| 76 | Steering operation fault | 0.06% |
| 77 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.05% |
| 78 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.05% |
| 79 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.05% |
| 80 | Electrical switch fault | 0.05% |
| 81 | Power steering ram fault | 0.04% |
| 82 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.04% |
| 83 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.04% |
| 84 | Drag link end worn | 0.04% |
| 85 | Steering column fault | 0.04% |
| 86 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.03% |
| 87 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.03% |
| 88 | Driver airbag fault | 0.03% |
| 89 | Exhaust leak | 0.03% |
| 90 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.03% |
| 91 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.03% |
| 92 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.03% |
| 93 | Steering coupling worn | 0.03% |
| 94 | Body security fault | 0.03% |
| 95 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.02% |
| 96 | Front passenger door fault | 0.02% |
| 97 | Universal joint worn | 0.02% |
| 98 | Driver door fault | 0.02% |
| 99 | Power steering pump fault | 0.02% |
| 100 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.02% |
| 101 | Propshaft fault | 0.02% |
| 102 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.02% |
| 103 | Driver seat fault | 0.02% |
| 104 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 105 | Vehicle floor corroded | 0.01% |
| 106 | Suspension unit fault | 0.01% |
| 107 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 108 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | 0.01% |
| 109 | Towbar fault | 0.01% |
| 110 | Passenger seat fault | 0.01% |
| 111 | Dip switch fault | 0.01% |
| 112 | Hydraulic fluid leak | 0.01% |
| 113 | Headlamp washer not working | 0.01% |
| 114 | Main beam warning light fault | 0.01% |
| 115 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | <0.01% |
| 116 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 117 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 118 | CV joint worn | <0.01% |
| 119 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 120 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 121 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 122 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 123 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 124 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 125 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | <0.01% |
| 126 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | <0.01% |
| 127 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 128 | Reversing lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 129 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 130 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 131 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 132 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 135 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 136 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 137 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 138 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 139 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 141 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Brake linkage mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 143 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 144 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 146 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 147 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 149 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 151 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 152 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 153 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 154 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 155 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 156 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 158 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 159 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 160 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 161 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 162 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 163 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 164 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 165 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 166 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 167 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 168 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 169 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 170 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 171 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 172 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 173 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 174 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 175 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 176 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 177 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 178 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 179 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 180 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 181 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 182 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 183 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 184 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 185 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 186 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 187 | Seat belt load limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 188 | Suspension air bellows damaged | <0.01% |
| 189 | Dropside damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 190 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 191 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 192 | Securing bolts missing or insecure | <0.01% |
| 193 | Air brake cylinder or actuator fault | <0.01% |
| 194 | Air suspension levelling valve fault | <0.01% |
| 195 | Anchor bracket corroded | <0.01% |
| 196 | Hydraulic suspension accumulator fault | <0.01% |
| 197 | Leaf spring eye worn or broken | <0.01% |
Showing all 197 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Saab MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for Saab, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Saab problems?
Based on analysis of 2.7M Saab MOT tests from DVSA data, Saab has 93 identified common problems across 9 models. The Saab 900 has the most recorded problems. Electrical issues are the most common category.
Which Saab model has the most problems?
By total identified common problems, the Saab 900 has the highest count with 50 problems. This is partly because it is one of the more popular Saab models on UK roads. See the models grid for a full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Saab?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Saab owners spot problems early. We review all submissions before they are published.
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