Used car guide

1990 Saab 900: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Saab 900 first registered in 1990: we looked at the 816 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

816MOTs of 1990 cars, done in 2023–2025
65%pass first time (all 1990 cars: 72%)
4,200typical miles a year
2.1×the usual rate for rust around suspension or steering mountings

What goes wrong more than usual on a 1990 Saab 900?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1990 Saab 900 than on all cars registered in 1990.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings2.1× usual
    Saab 900
    11.9% All 1990 cars
    5.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.2%, against 3.2% of all 1990 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Windscreen2.4× usual
    Saab 900
    6.5% All 1990 cars
    2.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0% of all 1990 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£300 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check for chips or cracks in the driver's view.

Common 1990 Saab 900 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1990 Saab 900 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    29% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    28% 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.

  • Brakes
    27% 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
    24% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    14% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    14% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1990 Saab 900

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the rust around suspension or steering mountings? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 1990 Saab 900 as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the windscreen? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 1990 Saab 900 as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Saab 900?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Saab 900 compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
1998262Suspension 35%
1997810Suspension 36%
1996446Brakes 34%
1995240Brakes 39%
1994138Suspension 36%
19931,195Suspension 32%
19921,022Brakes 34%
1991732Brakes 32%
1989–Too few tests
1988–Too few tests
1987–Too few tests
1986–Too few tests
1985–Too few tests
1984–Too few tests
1983–Too few tests
1982–Too few tests
1981–Too few tests
1980–Too few tests
1979–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Saab 900 cars first registered in 1990. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score