1997 Saab 9000: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 1997 Saab 9000?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1997 Saab 9000 than on all cars registered in 1997.

• Anti-roll bar bushes and joints7.1× usual
  Saab 9000

  12% All 1997 cars

  1.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 0.3% of all 1997 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

  At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

• Headlight aim2.4× usual
  Saab 9000

  10.3% All 1997 cars

  4.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 10.3%, against 4.3% of all 1997 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £20–£60 our estimate

  At the viewing: Park facing a wall at night or in a garage and check both headlight beams sit level. Aim is a cheap adjustment.

• Headlights2.1× usual
  Saab 9000

  9% All 1997 cars

  4.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.5%, against 2.5% of all 1997 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

Common 1997 Saab 9000 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1997 Saab 9000 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Lights and electrics
  36% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Suspension
  33% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Brakes
  32% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  24% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

• Tyres
  16% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Exhaust and emissions
  15% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1997 Saab 9000

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 7.1× as often on the 1997 Saab 9000 as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the headlight aim? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 1997 Saab 9000 as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 1997 Saab 9000 as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?