Saab
900
7,031 MOT tests analysed. lands in the middle of the pack — here's where 900s pass, fail, and end up on the retest sheet.
That's 7.1 points below the UK fleet average across our 1,984 tracked models — buyers should expect more first-time fails than the typical UK car.
Pass
70.4%
Pass-after-fix
4.3%
Fail
24.1%
Avg miles
132,747
Pass + Pass-after-fix + Fail = 100%
Petrol cars registered before January 2006 are typically pre-Euro 4 — subject to daily charges in London ULEZ, Birmingham CAZ, and Glasgow LEZ. Bristol CAZ does not charge petrol cars. Daily charges if driven in the zone: London £12.50 · Birmingham £8.00 .
The picture
900: a below-average pass rate worth digging into
Across 3,109 MOT tests, the 900 returns 69.0% first-time pass — well below the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is the strength or continuity of the load bearing. Windscreen damage and a weak handbrake round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 131,020, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.
ABI Insurance Group
Group 14–30
Around the UK fleet average for insurance cost. Lower groups cost less to insure; UK fleet average is around Group 22.
Source: ABI Group Rating Panel · administered by Thatcham Research · groups cover standard variants; performance trims may sit higher. Browse all insurance groups →
14–30
out of 50
Top ten reasons for rejection.
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- 01
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
424 occurrences · 6.0% of tests
- 02
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
276 occurrences · 3.9% of tests
- 03
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated
249 occurrences · 3.5% of tests
- 04
Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement
242 occurrences · 3.4% of tests
- 05
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
185 occurrences · 2.6% of tests
- 06
Parking brake inoperative on one side
146 occurrences · 2.1% of tests
- 07
Exhaust system leaking or insecure
128 occurrences · 1.8% of tests
- 08
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
124 occurrences · 1.8% of tests
- 09
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
106 occurrences · 1.5% of tests
- 10
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
104 occurrences · 1.5% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
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Recall history
11 UK recalls on record.
The 900 has 11 official UK vehicle recalls covering defect details, remedies, and affected build dates.
Buying or keeping a 900?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own a 900 and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.