Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1998 Saab 900 S?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 1998 Saab 900 S?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 1998 Saab 900 S?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Is the 1998 Saab 900 S reliable?

Based on MOT data from 208 vehicles, the 1998 Saab 900 S has a first-time MOT pass rate of 73%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1998 Saab 900 S?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Saab 900 S (1998)

208 real MOT outcomes analysed • 73% first-time pass rate

1998 Saab 900 S

CarHunch analysed 208 real MOT records for the 1998 Saab 900 S. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

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Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

Limited data for this trim variant. The DVLA records this vehicle under a specific trim-level name with only 208 vehicles on record — some statistics may not be reliable at this sample size.

See the full 1998 SAAB 900 (2,871 vehicles)

We have limited data for the 1998 Saab 900 S — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ Around 1 in 20 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

73%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

5.3%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.86

Over 3.2 tests on record

Moderate

Typical mileage

107k

Middle half: 88k–128k

For context

These stats describe 208 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Buyer beware — pass it on

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 208 Saab 900 S cars.

Before you buy a 1998 Saab 900 S

Based on MOT data from 208 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 5.3% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (99%)	206	72.8%	0.86

Colour Breakdown

Based on 4,144 Saab 900 S vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Black 24%

996

Red 20.4%

847

Blue 19.4%

805

Green 17%

705

White 6.8%

281

Silver 6.5%

269

Beige 2%

Purple 1.6%

Grey 1.5%

Yellow 0.3%

Bronze 0.2%

Gold 0.1%

Mileage Distribution

Most 1998 Saab 900 S vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

107,258

typical

87,824

low mileage

127,714

high mileage

Half of all 1998 Saab 900 S vehicles fall between 87,824 and 127,714 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 87,824 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 87,824–127,714 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1998 Saab 900 Ss sit.

⚠ Over 172,413 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

MOT History Averages

3.2

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.86

Avg failures per vehicle

2.1

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Saab 900 S: All 900 S years → Which year to buy? →

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Compare with another model

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Buyer beware — pass it on