Saab 9000 Cs (1997)
1997 Saab 9000 Cs
CarHunch analysed 722 real MOT records for the 1997 Saab 9000 Cs. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1997 SAAB 9000 CS passes its MOT first time in only 67.1% of cases, well below the UK average of 80%, which means nearly one in three of these cars fail their test. Nearly one in five have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, a meaningful safety concern that shouldn't be ignored when evaluating a purchase.
These cars are running at around 123,000 miles median, which is reasonable for their age, but they're racking up an average of 3 failures and nearly 12 advisories per test — suggesting chronic wear and maintenance neglect across the board. Before committing to one, have a pre-purchase inspection focus on the brake system, suspension, and emissions equipment, since those failure patterns dominate aging Saabs of this era.
What to check before buying a 1997 Saab 9000 Cs
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Saab 9000 Cs
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (99%) | 716 | 67.1% | 3.08 |
| Diesel (0%) | 3 | 60% | 1.33 |
| LPG (0%) | 3 | 77.4% | 3.33 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1997 Saab 9000 Cs vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 1997 Saab 9000 Cs vehicles fall between 101,399 and 151,583 miles.
1997 Saab 9000 Cs — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 21 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (14% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Found a specific Saab 9000 Cs?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.