Sweden's turbocharged maverick, built like a jet
The Classic 900 (1978-1993) has firmly established itself as a cult classic in the UK, valued for its quirky Swedish character, turbo performance and aerospace-inspired design. Values have risen steadily and good Turbos now command £7,000-£8,000+, while non-turbo cars remain accessible from £2,000-£3,000. Strong club support and specialist infrastructure keep ownership viable.
We track 5 known issues across the Saab 900 range, including 1 rated as safety-critical. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Saab 900? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
Classic (1971–1993) — Engine options included the 2.0 H-series. Our database flags 4 known issues on this generation, 1 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Structural corrosion around suspension mounting points (£1,000–£2,500 to address).
NG900 (1994–1998) — Engine options included the 2.0, 2.3. Our database flags 5 known issues on this generation, 1 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Structural corrosion around suspension mounting points (£1,000–£2,500 to address).
The load-bearing structure within 30cm of suspension and subframe mounting points is prone to severe corrosion that compromises structural integrity. This affects the areas where springs, dampers, and subframes attach to the bodyshell. MOT data shows this model fails at 18.9 times the national average for this defect, indicating a widespread design vulnerability rather than isolated cases.
Structural failure around suspension mounting points can cause loss of vehicle control and is an immediate MOT failure. Repair requires cutting out corroded sections and welding in new metal, typically costing £1,000-3,000 depending on extent. Cars with severe structural corrosion may be beyond economical repair.
Inspect the wheel arches, sills, jacking points and door bottoms carefully. Press gently on sills to check for soft spots. Look underneath for corrosion on structural components. Check the MOT history for corrosion-related advisories or failures.
The power steering system suffers from widespread seal failures in both the pump and rack, with MOT data showing this model fails at 11.7 times the fleet average for power steering malfunctions. The high-pressure seals deteriorate with age, causing fluid leaks that can lead to complete power steering loss. This is exacerbated by the system's reliance on ATF fluid which breaks down over time if not regularly changed.
Complete power steering failure makes the car difficult to manoeuvre at low speeds and in tight spaces. Fluid leaks can contaminate the environment and pose a slip hazard. Pump replacement typically costs £300-600 plus labour, while rack refurbishment runs £400-800.
During the test drive, check the steering for excessive play, vibration or pulling to one side. Listen for groaning or whining when turning the wheel at low speed. Power steering fluid level and condition should be checked on hydraulic systems.
The catalytic converter fails at an exceptionally high rate on high-mileage examples, with MOT data showing emissions failures at This typically occurs due to catalyst substrate breakdown from thermal cycling and contamination from oil consumption in worn engines. The narrow operating window of 1990s catalyst technology makes these units particularly sensitive to fuel mixture problems and oil contamination.
Catalyst failure results in MOT failure and prohibits legal road use. Replacement catalysts cost £400-800 plus fitting. Engine tuning problems that caused the original failure must be addressed or the replacement will fail quickly.
Ask about the car's typical usage — short urban journeys prevent DPF regeneration. Check for DPF warning lights and ask about any previous regeneration issues. A forced regeneration at a garage costs far less than a DPF replacement.
The upper steering column bearing wears excessively, creating dangerous play between the steering wheel and the column shaft. MOT data shows this model fails at 21.1 times the fleet average for excessive steering column movement. This wear develops gradually but can reach the point where steering input is not immediately transmitted to the wheels, creating a significant safety hazard.
Excessive column bearing wear creates unpredictable steering response and is an immediate MOT failure. In severe cases, the steering wheel can become detached from the column. Repair requires column removal and bearing replacement, typically costing £200-400 plus labour.
During the test drive, check the steering for excessive play, vibration or pulling to one side. Listen for groaning or whining when turning the wheel at low speed. Power steering fluid level and condition should be checked on hydraulic systems.
Suspension bushes and shock absorber mountings deteriorate at an accelerated rate, with MOT data showing failures at 11.8 times the fleet average for shock absorber bush wear. The rubber compounds used in these bushes are now 25-40 years old and have exceeded their design life. This creates excessive movement in the suspension geometry, affecting handling and tyre wear patterns.
Worn suspension bushes affect handling precision and accelerate tyre wear through poor wheel alignment. While not immediately dangerous, deteriorated suspension reduces braking efficiency and cornering stability. Bush replacement typically costs £200-600 depending on extent of wear.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Saab 900 common problems page.
Based on 17k real DVSA MOT tests, the Saab 900 fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is headlight fault at 61x the fleet average, followed by emissions failure (48x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Saab 900 MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 10k miles) typically costs £80–£120 at an independent garage.
The bigger-ticket items to budget for include timing chain tensioner check (£200–£300).
See the full Saab 900 service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Saab 900 has some well-documented weak points, including 1 safety-critical issue that demand careful checking. The right example, properly maintained, can still be a sound purchase — but cutting corners on the pre-purchase inspection is not advisable. 1990-1993 Classic 900s are the sweet spot: improved gearboxes, better brakes, no troublesome ECU issues, and the most refined iteration before the GM-influenced 'New 900' arrived. The 1988 16-valve Turbo with water-cooled turbocharger is also highly sought after.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Saab 900, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 5 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 5 known Saab 900 issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.