The fact that someone has actively gone out of their way to hide an issue with the car (whether it's the dealer you bought it from or a previous owner) would be enough for me to take the opportunity to get rid and find another one as you've no idea what else isn't as it seems.
Reject the car or fix it?
- Thread starter iaind
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No not a car dealer, just a sales manager in a totally different fuel. However with anything is sales people do jump the gun.
I think the approach you are taking will be spot on, odds on is the guy will be completely unaware of the lights being taped over. By the sound of your description they have more going for them, it will be a precious owner chopping on as a part ex somewhere along the lines who has done it.
Hope you get it sorted but would be interested in following the progress.
Why don't you take the approach of speaking to the dealer about it, make up something about the car skidding when you thought it had ABS, then go on that you checked the manual and the ABS light didn't come on with the ignition and now you're worried about it.
Don't let on that you've taken the dash apart and had the codes read. Save this for later if you need it.
Don't let on that you've taken the dash apart and had the codes read. Save this for later if you need it.
You should have got some sort of short warranty from the dealership. So try getting it fixed at their expense.
I had a turbo explode in a used car 2 months after buying it, the dealer had to fix it. It cost them £3000
Warranty is irrelevant...you have legal recourse and protection under SOGA (Sale Of Goods Act) when buying from a dealer/business.
Option 2. If someone (previous owner or dealer) has gone to these lengths to hide some issues then you must be wondering what other problems have been hidden. At best you've got a car that's been 'maintained' by covering up problems rather than fixing them.
Just spoke to the dealer, very apologetic and (sounded) surprised. I actually have a "lifetime warranty" but like Havana_UK says, SOGA overrides that for fundamental "fit for purpose" issues.
Anyway, he's going to speak to a Saab specialist near him for their opinion. If they say it's probably the control module then he'll foot the bill directly with the repair company. If its likely to be more expensive or problematic, he'll take the car back. Seems pretty reasonable to me
In terms of the "what other problems are covered up" thinking...sure, it's a concern. But, there were no other codes on Tech2 so I know there's no electrical gremlins. Mechanically it's pretty sound - it's a 12 year old car but no knocks or rattles, brakes are fairly new, engine is good. It needs a thermostat and possibly an engine mount but those are minor things.
Anyway, he's going to speak to a Saab specialist near him for their opinion. If they say it's probably the control module then he'll foot the bill directly with the repair company. If its likely to be more expensive or problematic, he'll take the car back. Seems pretty reasonable to me
In terms of the "what other problems are covered up" thinking...sure, it's a concern. But, there were no other codes on Tech2 so I know there's no electrical gremlins. Mechanically it's pretty sound - it's a 12 year old car but no knocks or rattles, brakes are fairly new, engine is good. It needs a thermostat and possibly an engine mount but those are minor things.
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The MOT tester should check that the ABS/ESP/Airbag light comes on with the ignition, and then goes off after a few seconds to show the module is present and working. I the bulbs were taped over the MOT tester has overlooked it.
The dealer wont necessarily know this is the case, he will of just put it in for MOT and told it passed.
Someone has done it, but that could have been a previous owner. Call the dealer to discuss the issue and see what his response is. Knowing that this has been done, I'd be worried about what else has/hasn't been done and I'd want to return the car and look elsewhere.
The dealer wont necessarily know this is the case, he will of just put it in for MOT and told it passed.
Someone has done it, but that could have been a previous owner. Call the dealer to discuss the issue and see what his response is. Knowing that this has been done, I'd be worried about what else has/hasn't been done and I'd want to return the car and look elsewhere.
I'm shocked.
For my own peace of mind I'd be saying I'd rather just return the car.
I'm pretty sure that my consumer rights says that I have to give them the opportunity to put it right first - which he is doing.
He's just called back and the saab specialist said they've seen those codes before for the control module so has asked for the part number and will get me a new one.
Props to the Saab community too - one the the posters on the forum spent an hour with me yesterday checking the codes, looking at the live data etc. Now today I've just had a PM from someone who has a complete known good pump/control unit which I can *have*
Have gone back and asked him how much to sell me it and I'll get the garage to cover the cost of that and an hour of my mechanics time to fit it.
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Why would you do that? Just let the dealer organise the new part and replacement. It's not up to you to get 'your mechanic' to do anything. Tell the dealer you want the brand new part required fitted by Saab.
That would be incredibly difficult.
This may come as a surprise, but getting a brand new part fitted by Saab isnt an option!
At the moment I have 2 options
1 - He pays for the control module, it's only a few screws and I'll pull it out myself. I could insist on taking it to a garage to remove and replace it but honestly its not worth my time. There's a good chance this will fix it, but it might not.
2 - He pays for the control module AND pump AND an hour of a mechanics time to fit it and bleed the brakes. I'd prefer this route as I know the whole unit is fine. It has to go to some sort of mechanic for this job, so I may as well use the guy I know and trust and get him to send the bill for his time to the dealer
I wont be paying for anything here.
It is a 4 hour drive away, I would imagine if he can get it done local and costs covered this would be the most easiest option.
Glad the guy has come back with a great response, seems like it was a genuine mistake/oversight which he is happy to put right.
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It's up to him to rectify the fault. Give him the car to fix it. I certainly wouldn't be doing any work myself or getting my mechanic to do the job. In my opinion, if any further issues arise, he'll claim it's nothing to do with him and could be down to you fitting incorrectly or something. The reason I suggested it should go to Saab is some vehicles the control unit has to be reconfigured after replacing.
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I'd not go supplying parts at all mate, anything goes wrong after "you supplied the part, your fault mate".... See it miles off
Let the dealer repair this, if after the first "fix" its still not working then he has to look into repairing it again, a couple of times for the same issue would clearly demonstrate not fit for purpose.
Who did the MOT? The garage?
Let the dealer repair this, if after the first "fix" its still not working then he has to look into repairing it again, a couple of times for the same issue would clearly demonstrate not fit for purpose.
Who did the MOT? The garage?