Author Topic: “Saab Approved” standards and quality of work  (Read 2928 times)

sgould

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“Saab Approved” standards and quality of work
« on: 16 August 2018, 11:11:09 AM »
I know it seems that I have a bit of a bee in my bonnet about “Saab Approved Service Agents” and have mentioned it on various forums.  But I have just received a call from a (non-Approved) Saab specialist to say that the reason that my aircon has failed is a hole in a badly fitted pipe.  It has rubbed on the bodywork and worn through.

The aircon pipework was replaced two years ago, along with replacing the auto gearbox pipes.  The work was done at a Saab Approved Garage.  The original failure was down to the pipes being in the wrong place, along with broken clips, etc., and rubbing together. The only time any work was done in that area was when the Hirsch intercooler and airbox were fitted in 2008 by the local Saab main dealer.

So, the main dealer faults that I found when checking the aircon two years ago...

Badly damaged aircon pipes needing those pipes and the gearbox cooling pipes replacing.
Pollen filter fitted without the foam seal, and cover refitted with only two of the six or seven screws needed, and the filter looked as if it hadn’t been changed at the last service.
On another occasion, after a service at the same main dealer, the wheel bolts came loose within 15 miles.

Two years ago at a Saab Approved garage, it now appears that the already broken aircon pipes were wrongly fitted and have failed again.  This was the garage that fitted the MAF meter the wrong way around when putting it all back together.


I spoke to an Orio staff member at a Saab get together a year ago, and asked what standards a Garage had to meet to obtain “Saab Approved” listing.  I was told that the only requirement was that they had to be VAT registered, and they had to show that they were financially sound enough for them to open an account with Orio for parts supplied.  There is no requirement for a garage to show any technical ability, or meet any quality standard.  So there are no checks carried out on work done. No technical audits or anything like a “mystery shopper”. 

Would I be right in thinking that most customers taking their car to a “Saab Approved Service Agent” would expect that the garage was technically competent and knew how to fix a Saab? 

« Last Edit: 16 August 2018, 11:14:33 AM by sgould »
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David

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Re: “Saab Approved” standards and quality of work
« Reply #1 on: 16 August 2018, 12:09:31 PM »
I know, I would Will.

I am lucky that where I live we have a number of SAAB specialists and like most garages, when you have a good one you tend to stick with them. Might be worth going back to the garage concerned. If nothing else, if they are made aware of the problem(s), they should, in theory, not repeat it on customers cars in the future.

sgould

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Re: “Saab Approved” standards and quality of work
« Reply #2 on: 16 August 2018, 02:32:34 PM »
I went back to them with detailed photos when I found the MAF problem and a short explanation of what I'd found, and how I had solved the problem.  All I got back was a standard message along the lines of "Sorry to hear that you are having problems with your Saab. Please make an appointment to bring your car to us for one of our expert technicians to diagnose and rectify the problem".

I had already rectified the problem.  I really wanted to hear an apology and some comment as to how their checking system had failed.  But I doubt that my e-mail got past the receptionist.
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Norfolk Jim

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Re: “Saab Approved” standards and quality of work
« Reply #3 on: 16 August 2018, 02:46:48 PM »
A few years back I had a new Xenon bulb fitted at Saab main dealers Thurlow Nunn as a sit and wait job. After 30 minutes I asked why it was taking so long (it was my DE Vector Sport) as I knew it only involved popping off bumper and remove lamp. I was told by the receptionist girl it was a very complex job - that's when I said 'nope - Saab only allow 15 mins to do the job complete with testing...........................needless to say it was a Vauxhall technician staring under the bonnet - Saab tehc was not in that day. 45 mins later all was done and I went home but on turning into my drive I was aware there was only a beam pattern on passenger side so called dealer as in 2 days we were going away to Scotland. Went next morning and the Saab technician called me through to show me several clips had been damaged!!!! He knew the other guy had done it but couldn't prove it. Upshot was I might need a new lamp assembly at £££'s and he'd searched eBay and all places to find a used one. In the end he persevered and managed to get it to clip in. I then had a good moan at the manager asking what he'd have done if it hadn't been fixed and he said 'you'll need to buy a new one - we don't fit secondhand stuff and you can't prove the other tech did the damage.........................never again

David

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Re: “Saab Approved” standards and quality of work
« Reply #4 on: 16 August 2018, 03:15:01 PM »
Always worth asking on a forum for recommendations.
I know of at least three I would recommend.

Audax

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Re: “Saab Approved” standards and quality of work
« Reply #5 on: 16 August 2018, 09:58:28 PM »
Saab approved means nothing. Only ever had terrible experiences with then, but then I've had terrible experiences with companies that are well rested on here by the masses. Trouble is once you know how to look for short cuts you always find people have taken them.

wrighar

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Re: “Saab Approved” standards and quality of work
« Reply #6 on: 17 August 2018, 11:10:15 AM »
Life time warranty on orio parts??

sgould

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Re: “Saab Approved” standards and quality of work
« Reply #7 on: 17 August 2018, 01:31:55 PM »
Parts are not the main problem.  Poor fitting is the real problem.

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Audax

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Re: “Saab Approved” standards and quality of work
« Reply #8 on: 17 August 2018, 02:52:29 PM »
Given how often warranty on parts was denied via Saab I'm not convinced that they won't blame something else for the parts failure.