MOT failure data · 2025
Saab 900 MOT problems
Across every Saab 900 that failed its 2025 MOT, the defect testers recorded most often was component mounting prescribed areas prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength, on 8.82% of failure items. The broadest problem area was brakes at 22.43%. These are recorded defects across the model, not a diagnosis of any one car.
Most common Saab 900 MOT failures
| # | Recorded defect | Area | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength | Suspension | 8.82% |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) efficiency below requirements | Brakes | 4.83% |
| 3 | Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 3.01% |
| 4 | Washers not working | Visibility | 2.75% |
| 5 | Prescribed areas prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced | Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 2.75% |
| 6 | Exhaust system has a major leak of exhaust gases | Body, chassis, structure | 2.62% |
| 7 | Side repeaters not working | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 2.57% |
| 8 | Wipers does not clear the windscreen effectively | Visibility | 2.39% |
| 9 | Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | Steering | 2.26% |
| 10 | Integral vehicle structure condition corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced | Body, chassis, structure | 2.26% |
Shares are of all recorded failure items for this model, so they sum to less than 100% — a single failed test often records several defects, and the long tail below the top 10 is not shown.
What this means if you are buying one
Use it as a viewing checklist. If you are looking at a Saab 900, these are the areas worth inspecting and worth asking about — and worth reading the car's own MOT history for, since a defect that keeps reappearing as an advisory is a better signal than any model-wide average.
The MOT record also has hard limits: it does not check the engine, clutch or gearbox, and it says nothing about outstanding finance, insurance write-off history, stolen markers or whether the mileage is genuine. Our used Saab 900 buying guide covers what to check beyond the MOT.
Checking a specific Saab 900?
Enter its registration for finance, write-off, stolen, mileage and keeper history.
Other Saab models
Saab 900 MOT FAQs
What does a Saab 900 most commonly fail its MOT on?
The single most recorded defect on Saab 900 cars failing their 2025 MOT was "component mounting prescribed areas prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength", appearing on 8.82% of failure items.
Does this mean my Saab 900 will fail?
No. This is what testers recorded across every Saab 900 that failed in 2025. It shows where this model tends to need attention, not the condition of any individual car. The Saab 900 passed 69.33% of its initial tests.
How do I see a specific Saab 900's MOT history?
Enter its registration on our free MOT history check to see that car's own test results, advisories and recorded mileages.
See also: Saab 900 MOT pass rate · used Saab 900 buying guide · free MOT history check
Defect counts from the DVSA MOT Anonymised test-item data for 2025 (class 4 initial tests, failure items only — advisories and minor defects excluded), licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.