Car statistics
How many Saab 900s are still on the road in Great Britain, how many are declared off the road, how new registrations have changed and which fuels they use. Built from DVLA licensing records and 2,116 DVSA MOT tests.
There were 1,540 Saab 900s licensed in Great Britain at the end of March 2026, and a further 4,283 declared off the road (SORN). That is 98.1% fewer than the peak of 79,419 in 1997.
Numbers peaked in 1997 and have fallen every year since, as older cars are scrapped faster than new ones are registered.
| Year | Licensed |
|---|---|
| 1994 | 61,972 |
| 1995 | 65,260 |
| 1996 | 72,252 |
| 1997 | 79,419 |
| 1998 | 79,117 |
| 1999 | 74,962 |
| 2000 | 69,422 |
| 2001 | 64,597 |
| 2002 | 59,140 |
| 2003 | 54,170 |
| 2004 | 49,782 |
| 2005 | 45,046 |
| 2006 | 39,726 |
| 2007 | 34,765 |
| 2008 | 29,095 |
| 2009 | 23,907 |
| 2010 | 19,394 |
| 2011 | 15,031 |
| 2012 | 11,658 |
| 2013 | 9,099 |
| 2014 | 7,139 |
| 2015 | 5,934 |
| 2016 | 4,901 |
| 2017 | 4,097 |
| 2018 | 3,478 |
| 2019 | 2,961 |
| 2020 | 2,568 |
| 2021 | 2,325 |
| 2022 | 2,116 |
| 2023 | 1,879 |
| 2024 | 1,686 |
| 2025 | 1,569 |
| 2026 | 1,540 |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated
Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated
9 versions of the Saab 900 have their own page. The figures above include every version; each version page covers only the cars DVLA records under that version’s name.
| Version | Licensed | SORN |
|---|---|---|
| Saab 900 SE | 92 | 276 |
| Saab 900 Turbo 3 | 104 | 241 |
| Saab 900 S Cabriolet | 112 | 176 |
| Saab 900 T 16S Cabriolet | 81 | 158 |
| Saab 900 S Aero Turbo | 73 | 129 |
| Saab 900 Turbo 16 Cabriolet | 56 | 141 |
| Saab 900 Turbo 3S | 34 | 140 |
| Saab 900 S Turbo | 51 | 120 |
| Saab 900 T 16S Convert | 43 | 83 |
In 2025, 63.4% of Saab 900 MOT tests were passed first time, against 72.8% for all cars. Cars of the same ages as the Saab 900s tested pass 61.0% of the time, so the Saab 900 does better than average for its age, by 2.4 points. In 2024 its pass rate was 65.0%.
Comparing like with like: each bar pair covers cars of the same age, so an older average age does not count against a model.
| Vehicle age | Saab 900 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 20+ years | 63.4% | 61.0% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment is the most common reason a Saab 900 fails its MOT, appearing on 49.7% of failed tests. A failed test can have defects in more than one category, so shares add up to more than 100%. 6.3% of Saab 900 tests found at least one dangerous defect, against 7.3% for all cars.
| Defect category | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 49.7% |
| Brakes | 38.4% |
| Suspension | 25.1% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 24.0% |
| Visibility | 21.4% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 19.4% |
| Steering | 12.0% |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 10.5% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
The single most common reason a Saab 900 failed its MOT in 2025 was “Parking brake efficiency below requirements”, on 14.3% of 774 failed tests. 57.5% of tests ended with at least one advisory, a problem to watch that did not fail the test; the most common was “Engine oil leak, but not excessive”. The same fault on any wheel or side counts once.
Share of failed tests with each defect. A test can fail for more than one.
| Defect | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Parking brake efficiency below requirements Brakes | 14.3% |
| Component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Suspension | 14.1% |
| Side repeaters: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 10.3% |
| Washers: not working Visibility | 9.0% |
| Exhaust system: major leak of exhaust gases Body, chassis, structure | 7.6% |
| Position lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 7.4% |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively Visibility | 7.1% |
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 6.6% |
| Seat belts: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 6.6% |
| Stop lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 6.6% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Share of all tests with each advisory: worth checking on a car you are buying.
| Advisory | Share of tests |
|---|---|
| Engine oil leak, but not excessive Noise, emissions and leaks | 25.6% |
| Tyres: slightly damaged or cracking or perishing Tyres | 8.9% |
| Exhaust system: minor leak of exhaust gases Body, chassis, structure | 8.3% |
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge Tyres | 8.1% |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened Brakes | 7.4% |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material Brakes | 6.5% |
| Coil spring: corroded Suspension | 6.0% |
| Component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Suspension | 5.4% |
| Flexible brake hoses: slight corrosion to ferrule Brakes | 5.4% |
| Registration plates: deteriorated but not likely to be misread Identification of the vehicle | 4.3% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
The average Saab 900 covers 1,686 miles a year, worked out from odometer readings at consecutive MOT tests.
| Vehicle age | Miles a year |
|---|---|
| 20+ years | 1,686 |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Of the 1,581 Saab 900s licensed in the UK at the end of 2025, 94.1% have an engine of 1,901cc to 2,000cc, and 4.0% have an engine of 2,201cc to 2,300cc. The share with an engine of 1,901cc to 2,000cc has grown from 85.3% in 2014 to 94.1%.
DVLA records engine size in 100cc bands.
| Engine size | Share of those licensed |
|---|---|
| 1,901cc to 2,000cc 1,487 licensed | 94.1% |
| 2,201cc to 2,300cc 63 licensed | 4.0% |
| 2,001cc to 2,100cc 17 licensed | 1.1% |
| Other sizes 14 licensed | 0.9% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
| Engine size | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,901–2,000cc | Petrol | 1,485 | 93.9% |
| 2,201–2,300cc | Petrol | 62 | 3.9% |
| 2,001–2,100cc | Petrol | 17 | 1.1% |
Share of those licensed at the end of each year, for the most common sizes.
| Year | 1,901–2,000cc | 2,201–2,300cc | 2,001–2,100cc |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 85.3% | 10.7% | 2.0% |
| 2015 | 86.2% | 10.1% | 1.9% |
| 2016 | 87.5% | 9.1% | 1.8% |
| 2017 | 88.2% | 8.4% | 1.9% |
| 2018 | 89.1% | 7.8% | 1.7% |
| 2019 | 90.0% | 7.0% | 1.6% |
| 2020 | 90.0% | 7.1% | 1.5% |
| 2021 | 91.0% | 6.1% | 1.6% |
| 2022 | 91.4% | 5.9% | 1.3% |
| 2023 | 93.0% | 4.9% | 1.1% |
| 2024 | 93.1% | 4.9% | 1.1% |
| 2025 | 94.1% | 4.0% | 1.1% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
United Kingdom figures from DfT table VEH0220 (licensed cars at the end of each year, SORN excluded), so they differ slightly from the Great Britain counts elsewhere on this page. How we use engine sizes.
DVSA lists 11 safety recalls for the Saab 900 since 1992, the first in 1994. The most recent was launched on 7 April 2003.
All 11 Saab 900 recalls, with defects, remedies and build dates
A recall applies to cars built on particular dates or with particular VINs, not to every Saab 900. The details come from manufacturers through DVSA, which says they may be delayed or incomplete. To check a specific car, use GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check or ask the manufacturer or a dealer. How we match recalls to models.
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis January 1992 to September 2026 Updated
| Figures | Source | Period | Records | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed and SORN counts | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | End of March 2026 | 5,823 900 records (licensed and SORN) | 15 September 2026 |
| Registered for the first time | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | 2001 to 2025 | – | 15 September 2026 |
| MOT results and mileage | Anonymised MOT tests and results Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency Derived statistics UK Motoring | 2025 | 2,116 MOT tests | 15 September 2026 |
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
