At a Glance
The Saab 99 has 20 identified problems that occur more often than the UK average, with Brake performance below minimum being the most reported. Brakes is the most common MOT failure category. Based on 4K 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 99 — 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 99 MOT Pass Rate
Across 4K MOT tests from DVSA data, the Saab 99 (1968–1984) has a fail rate of 40.0%.
All-time UK average fail rate: 34.9%
Common Saab 99 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 performance below minimum
551
occurrences
Suspension component mounting corroded
499
occurrences
Brake hydraulic component worn
316
occurrences
Exhaust system fault
266
occurrences
Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst)
260
occurrences
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Saab 99 owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Saab 99 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 99, grouped by the mileage they typically appear at.
288 distinct problems · 9,617 total occurrences in current filter
Filter by fuel and engine size to narrow down to your car.
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Advisory items are MOT tester observations. Frequency can be influenced by driving style and usage patterns.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Saab 99 problems?
Based on DVSA MOT data for the Saab 99 99 (1968–1984), we have identified 20 common problems. The most frequently reported is "Brake performance below minimum". Brakes is the most common MOT failure category.
How reliable is the Saab 99?
This generation has 4K MOT tests on record with a 40.0% 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 99?
There are 105 distinct MOT failure types recorded for the 99 (1968–1984), 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 99?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Saab 99 owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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