Does the Saab 900 fail the MOT on noise, emissions and leaks more than it should?
The Saab 900 records 9.74 noise, emissions and leaks failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 8.07 expected for a car of the same age mix: more than expected for its class and age (+1.67, 95% interval +1.21 to +2.13). It ranks 101 of 678 models on noise, emissions and leaks (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on noise, emissions and leaks · check a Saab 900 by registration
What exactly fails on noise, emissions and leaks?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Saab 900 is “Emissions levels exceed default limits”, recorded 508 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| Emissions levels exceed default limits | 508 | 2.86 |
| Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer | 324 | 1.83 |
| Emissions test unable to be completed | 274 | 1.54 |
| Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits | 169 | 0.95 |
| Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction | 148 | 0.83 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 17,740 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
If a Saab 900 gets a noise, emissions and leaks advisory, how often does it fail next time?
8.8% of Saab 900 MOTs with a noise, emissions and leaks advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12.2 months and 1,212 miles later (2,835 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 2,835 (advisories followed) · Method: the same vehicles followed to their next ordinary MOT · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
Saab 900 in the Netherlands · Saab 900 by postcode area · Saab 900 body, chassis and structure failures · Saab 900 brakes failures · Saab 900 vehicle identification failures · Saab 900 lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Saab 900 seat belts and airbags failures · Saab 900 steering failures · Saab 900 suspension failures · Saab 900 tyres failures · Saab 900 visibility failures