How much does a 1997 SAAB 9000 CD cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,777 (£231/month), including £1592 fuel, £430 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1997 SAAB 9000 CD?

The 1997 SAAB 9000 CD has a 68% MOT pass rate based on 41 tests in 2026. This ranks 274 out of 320 cars from 1997.

SAAB 9000 CD (1997)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1997 SAAB 9000 CD?

The average mileage for a 1997 SAAB 9000 CD is 145,486 miles, which is below the expected 214,600 miles for a 29-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 41 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,777

£231/month

MOT Pass Rate

68%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£430

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 25-38

2290cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

68% pass rate, £2777/year to run. 14 points below average.

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Petrol2290cc29 years old41 tests145k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2290cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592

Road Tax

Based on 2290cc

£430

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,777

Per month£231/mo

Per week£53/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

68% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 14 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the SAAB brand average of 75%.

At 29 years old, 68% of SAAB 9000 CDs from 1997 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 41 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 145,486 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1997 cars274th of 320(top 86%)

Rank among SAAB models66th of 73(top 90%)

vs national average-14%(82% avg)

vs 1997 cars average-7%(75% avg)

vs SAAB average-7%(75% avg)

Mileage Analysis

145,486

Average miles

214,600

Expected for age

The average 1997 SAAB 9000 CD has 145,486 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 214,600 miles for a 29-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Similar Cars to Consider

VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER

1996 · 2490cc Petrol

£2,597/year

67%

-1%

BMW 3 SERIES

1999 · 2494cc Petrol

£2,397/year

78%

+10%

MAZDA MX-5

1997 · 1800cc Petrol

£2,017/year

76%

+8%

BMW Z3

1997 · 1900cc Petrol

£2,017/year

75%

+7%

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About the 1997 SAAB 9000 CD

The 1997 SAAB 9000 CD is a large car with a 2290cc petrol engine. 41 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 86% of 1997 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 145,486 miles at 29 years old, SAAB 9000 CD owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1997 SAAB 9000 CD Fuel Costs

The 2290cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,592 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1997 SAAB 9000 CD?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,777 (£231/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £430 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 68% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

Buying a Used 1997 SAAB 9000 CD

At 29 years old, the SAAB 9000 CD is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. Note: with only 41 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1997 SAAB 9000 CD's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 29 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Oil Consumption

Medium risk

Larger petrol engines can develop higher oil consumption as they age. Check the oil level and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 145k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Engine Mounts

Medium risk

Worn engine mounts cause excessive vibration and movement. Replacement costs £150-£400 per mount. Check for vibration at idle with the bonnet open.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 68% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 1997 SAAB 9000 CD stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
SAAB 9000 CD(1997)	68%	£1592	£430	Grp 25-38	£2777
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(1996)	67%	£1592	£250	Grp 25-38	£2597-£180
BMW 3 SERIES(1999)	78%	£1592	£250	Grp 25-38	£2397-£380
MAZDA MX-5(1997)	76%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017-£760
BMW Z3(1997)	75%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017-£760

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.