Went to Trading Standards on Monday, took my diary of events down and spoke to a really helpful adviser who said said she felt I had a case, and gave me a standard letter template and told me to do the letter that day and send it registered, which I did.

Got home today to a letter from the garage refuting all my claims, saying they've been driving the car without the oil warning light coming on and that they are helpless to fix a problem that they haven't seen. They don't even address the gearbox issue or the knocking/feedback through steering.

They say the oil light problem is because my boyfriend put too much oil in it (he hasn't touched it), then they say that because he put too much oil in they drained the oil, did an engine flush, removed sump and cleaned oil pick up inside, all at a "considerable cost to themselves" which apparently I should appreciate is a little problem when no warning lights have come on...

Re the service history, they say I was shown all the paperwork for the car and I test drove the car and was happy to proceed with the sale and that they discounted the car £295 for me

Re the air con, they say the air con compressor has a slight weep which is not uncommon on a 10 year old car and that they have ordered a new part at a cost of £199 and they're still waiting for it (2 weeks ago I put the deposit on the frigging car, how long does a part take?!) and "you paid £40 for the air con to be re-gassed!!" - so f**k - it doesn't work!

And finally he says that in response to my "belief" that I have given them adequate time to fix the issues (which they earlier say are non existent), I dropped the car off on 9/7/11 and they received the letter on 12/7/11. YES because I dropped the car off demanding a refund!!!

Apparently the car is coming back from the workshops and they will test drive the car at their expense (!!!) and they do not envisage any lights will appear on the car.

 

B0llocks. Just sick of cars. I want my money back on this one and then I am sticking to my bike and the bus and I'll hire a car as and when I need one, saving on insurance, petrol and road tax. Just feel like crying again, and I'm not usually one for tears but I'm just sick to the back teeth

 

Its PAYBACK time

 

Its PAYBACK time

 

Lol!

To top it off, took the MR2 in today to get the alternator fixed on it, was supposed to be done this afternoon, just had a call to say they haven't fixed it, something wrong with a relay, won't be sorted til tomorrow. Poor Marc's gotta walk from one side of town to the other now to get home, as I can't go and collect him!

Gah! Bloody cars!!!

keep fighting them, you will win in the end :D just dont give up.. i think thats what they will be hoping for !

thing is you have had so many nice motor's, i wouldnt touch a saab as they are prone for problem's, i would fight it to get ya cash back and buy something decent that isnt outragous

 

the only thing your gonna replace a zed with is a zed

 

hope you get it resolved

thing is you have had so many nice motor's, i wouldnt touch a saab as they are prone for problem's, i would fight it to get ya cash back and buy something decent that isnt outragous

 

the only thing your gonna replace a zed with is a zed

 

hope you get it resolved

 

Depends who you believe, I was led to believe they were rock solid, reliable motors. Maybe I got the Friday afternoon one

As for so many nice motors, since Zedward I had the old man's corolla which I hated and then needed a clutch, then I had the Glanza, which was ok but an auto which I decided to sell, and then the Polo which turned out to have more issues than Hello magazine.

Didn't think a Saab was an outrageous car, but something to make the long journey down South to see my folks, comfortable and safe, and a decent drive in the winter when I'm on placements out in the sticks with the snow on the ground.

I really don't know what to do. Its clearly my move now. I think probably best bet is to return to Trading Standards. Ultimately tho, the garage has my car and my money :censored:

before you collect it again get the AA to come and check the whole car over. O contact the dvla to see if they have an inspector in the area(very hardnosed and strict about everything). You cant argue with the dvla or vosa.

As I said before, I'd be concerned how they fixed things :( My first thought is they could easily take the bulb out for the oil light so if you do see the car again, check the oil light with ignition on.

 

Keep battling on it and I really hope you get somewhere. Just not fair that these guys think they can rip you off

before you collect it again get the AA to come and check the whole car over. O contact the dvla to see if they have an inspector in the area(very hardnosed and strict about everything). You cant argue with the dvla or vosa.

 

Good advice mate, Janus if you can get a dvla inspectorate on the case, the garage will crap themselves, used to work with them when i was a copper, police are bad enough, but dvla, once they start digging, they keep going

Yeah I would second that generally saabs should be reliable cars, I had a couple in the past and they were no trouble (well one had a leccy window motor fail but otherwise no prob, and that one was closing on 200K miles).

 

As for your situation, its easy to see why you feel so helpless, but thats what they are relying on. Keep trading standards updated with everything, they are your best chance (legally) ;)

Thanks everyone, good advice as per. Will investigate the DVLA inspectors. Will try to get to the Trading Standards office again this week - but its more time out of work, its getting a bit ridiculous now. All very useful tho, thank you

:thumbup1:

PS, re the DVLA inspectors - any idea how one might go about finding one?

Did a Google search which hasn't returned anything very helpful

Thanks

Like people have said, keep fighting them all the way. They want you to give in and walk away because they are arseholes. That AA check is sound advice too. Do you know anyone who owns a garage? You can put in a letter that an 'independant' garage is willing to look at the faults too?

This is just naff to the highest level, really sorry to read all this hun - it's a pain in the bum when you get people like this who have no problems ripping people without a care in the world :(

 

Hope you get it sorted soon :)

Oh, make sure the bulb still works or should I say is still in place for the oil warning light.

 

Crap garages if they think its too expensive to fix will just remove the bulb. Oh look, problem solved.

 

Would never buy a car from a garage, go straight to the auctions yourself and save £££'s all a garage does is hide the bits they dont want you to see and whack a profit on top.

Auctions ftw

PS, re the DVLA inspectors - any idea how one might go about finding one?

Did a Google search which hasn't returned anything very helpful

Thanks

 

DVLA dosen't do mechanical inspections to my knowledge. Think he meant Vehicle Inspectorate which is now known as VOSA. Unfortunately unless its regarding a dodgy MOT VOSA is unlikely to get involved.

VOSA is who you want poking around as they have the most power over garages. Is the garage there taking the car to an MOT station or just a man in a shed? although it is the sellers responsabiltle to deal with you regarding the sale of the car you should ask who the car is being taken to to be fixed? if its an independant garge give them a ring and ask what have they have done to the saab. If there an MOT station tell them you will be getting VOSA to come an inspect there garage as your experance of there workman ship is below standards. Also threaten the garage with the cost of a hire car and that you expect them to pay for it as you have been left with out transportation and that you will be taking them to a small claims court to retrive compansion for loss of earnings.

PS, re the DVLA inspectors - any idea how one might go about finding one?

Did a Google search which hasn't returned anything very helpful

Thanks

 

Hi,

Unfortunately VOSA will only get involved for manufacturer safety defects. This is from their site - 'Please note that VOSA is unable to assist in any claim for reimbursement of repair costs or any other form of compensation.

 

For issues related to recently purchased vehicles, faulty repairs or durability issues please contact your local Trading Standards Office, consumer protection or citizen’s advice'

 

They also have this link on Direct Gov for consumer rights, which i'm guessing you've probably seen. http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Governmentcitizensandrights/Consumerrights/index.htm

 

HTH

 

nick

I didnt realise VOSA would not deal direct with the fault but if there are an MOT station and they are not doing a good job repairing cars then VOSA will be interested and they just love surprise inspections! (We had one the start of the year) and any MOT station will want to avoid a visit from VOSA as it normally ends up costing you money and if they are as bad at mot's as there are at fixing saabs then VOSA can shut them down. Its just a way of making the garage who sold you the car, life a bit more difficult (like he is yours) as he probably use's the garage for all of his work and wont want to upset them.

Thanks guys,

 

Mikey Bean's very kindly agreed to take a look at the Saab tomorrow :cool3:

Once we've established the issues, Trading Standards have an independent assessor they can recommend, so I'll see what Mikey finds then take it from there.

I'm assuming that on the drive down there, it'll be a long enough drive for the oil pressure and low oil warning lights to come on, so I can get Marc to record it on my camera phone, as the garage say there isn't a fault. Then just need to establish why there is a knocking sound/feedback through the steering and the issue with the gears

Best get baking thankyou cakes for Mikey :whistling:

You bringing the car down here Jane? Mikey you're clearly not supposed to have two days off in a row, because you start volunteering to work on cars again! lol

You bringing the car down here Jane? Mikey you're clearly not supposed to have two days off in a row, because you start volunteering to work on cars again! lol

 

Ha, you coming along too?!

Mikey, I promise to make fruit free cake!

I would, but he's using the RAMP at work, so don't think I'd be much help :( Maybe he can get you to follow him back here after and you can have a coffee :D

Good old Mike, what a samaritan he is!. :)

 

He is gonna be a fat one after eating all those cakes too!

I didnt realise VOSA would not deal direct with the fault but if there are an MOT station and they are not doing a good job repairing cars then VOSA will be interested and they just love surprise inspections! (We had one the start of the year) and any MOT station will want to avoid a visit from VOSA as it normally ends up costing you money and if they are as bad at mot's as there are at fixing saabs then VOSA can shut them down. Its just a way of making the garage who sold you the car, life a bit more difficult (like he is yours) as he probably use's the garage for all of his work and wont want to upset them.

 

Hmmmm....I didnt realise VOSA wielded so much power, there you go you learn something new every day!

 

Janus, Independant assessor and trading standards is probably the best option. Though try and get it done asap and try not to put a lot of miles on the car. The more it's been used the weaker your case will be. The problem with going down that route is it cost's and there is no guarantee you will get your money back :(.

 

Hope you get things sorted out soon.