Saab 93 (1998)
1998 Saab 93
CarHunch analysed 131 real MOT records for the 1998 Saab 93. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1998 SAAB 93 comes in below the UK average with a 74.7% pass rate against the national 80%, suggesting these nearly 30-year-old cars are starting to show their age. The dangerous defect rate sits at a manageable 10.7%, so while you'll encounter issues, they're unlikely to be safety-critical.
At nearly 103,000 miles on average, these cars have been well-used but not exceptionally high-mileage for their age. Expect around two failures per test and nearly eight advisories, pointing to ageing seals, worn trim, and minor electrical gremlins rather than catastrophic failures—get a pre-purchase inspection that specifically checks the electrical systems and suspension components, as these are typical weak spots on aging Saabs.
What to check before buying a 1998 Saab 93
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 93
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 (91%) | 119 | 74.9% | 2.01 |
| Diesel (9%) | 12 | 73.1% | 1.25 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1998 Saab 93 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 1998 Saab 93 vehicles fall between 75,211 and 114,241 miles.
1998 Saab 93 — Still on the Road
13 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2016 — 57% of the peak remain.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2016.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1998 Saab 93
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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41.2%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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36.8%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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27.9%
Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated
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24.6%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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24.3%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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21.7%
Oil leak
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17.6%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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17.3%
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1998. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Saab 93?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.
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