At a Glance
The Saab 900 Classic has 21 identified problems that occur more often than the UK average, with Brake hydraulic component worn being the most reported. Electrical is the most common MOT failure category. The most serious issue flagged is Flexible brake hose damaged, rated as dangerous. Based on 85K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on this model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read how we calculate MOT pass rates and problems →
Below: the full MOT-data picture for the Saab 900 Classic — MOT pass rate vs the UK average, common problems vs UK fleet patterns, the most likely MOT failures by frequency, fault occurrence by mileage band, and pass/fail trends. All numbers drawn from DVSA records.
Saab 900 Classic MOT Pass Rate
Across 85K MOT tests from DVSA data, the Saab 900 Classic (1978–1993) has a fail rate of 46.3%.
All-time UK average fail rate: 34.9%
Common Saab 900 Classic Problems
Owner-submitted reports plus patterns we've identified across 559 million UK MOT tests. Each MOT-derived item below — whether tagged as a Problem, Wear & Tear or Consumable — shows up noticeably more often on this generation than across the UK fleet, which is why it's here. Owner reports are pinned to the top by default; use the sort and filter pills below to view a specific tier or change the order.
Brake hydraulic component worn
9,113
occurrences
Suspension component mounting corroded
7,852
occurrences
Brake performance below minimum
6,630
occurrences
Indicator fault
4,628
occurrences
Steering rack fault
3,202
occurrences
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Saab 900 Classic owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Saab 900 Classic owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
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Problems by mileage
Common problems, MOT failures and advisories on the Saab 900 Classic, grouped by the mileage they typically appear at.
288 distinct problems · 201,191 total occurrences in current filter
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Advisory items are MOT tester observations. Frequency can be influenced by driving style and usage patterns.
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Other Saab 900 Generations
Classic
1978–1993
31 problems
Current page
NG900
1994–1998
49 problems
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Saab 900 Classic problems?
Based on DVSA MOT data for the Saab 900 Classic (1978–1993), we have identified 21 common problems. The most frequently reported is "Brake hydraulic component worn". Electrical is the most common MOT failure category.
How reliable is the Saab 900 Classic?
This generation has 85K MOT tests on record with a 46.3% fail rate. A fault is flagged as a "Common Problem" only when it occurs significantly more often on this model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence.
What commonly fails the MOT on a Saab 900 Classic?
There are 165 distinct MOT failure types recorded for the Classic (1978–1993), grouped by the mileage these failures typically occur. See the Common MOT Failures section on this page.
Can I report a problem with my Saab 900 Classic?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Saab 900 owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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