Used car guide

1993 Saab 900: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 1993 Saab 900s, from 379 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 379 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

379MOT tests in 2025
61%pass first time (all 1993 cars: 69%)
4,200typical miles a year
2.5×the usual rate for exhaust emissions (catalyst)

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 1993 Saab 900s than on all cars registered in 1993.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)2.5× usual
    Saab 900
    9.8% All 1993 cars
    3.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9.8%, against 3.8% of all 1993 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Flexible brake hoses2.2× usual
    Saab 900
    10.6% All 1993 cars
    4.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 1% of all 1993 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£200 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look for cracked or bulging rubber hoses behind the wheels and in the engine bay.

By area

The share of 1993 Saab 900 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    34% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    30% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    28% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    26% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    20% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Tyres
    16% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

Looking at a Saab 900?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
1997232Suspension 40%
1996121Brakes 34%
1992320Brakes 36%
1991246Brakes 34%
1990257Oil and fluid leaks 32%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 1993 Saab 900s registered in 1993. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score