5 year old Saab V6 Auto with 54k and FSaabSH. Auxillary drive belt snapped and wrapped itself around crankshaft pulley causing timing belt to fail. Now needs new engine (cost more than value of car). How can a £24k motor with a reputation for longevity fail after 54k miles and does anyone have experience of Saab Automobiles GB footing the bill for such events?

You're right, this is definitely not what you'd expect from a Saab. Does the car have full Saab service history? If so then I'd get in touch with Saab and see what they have to say. I can't see them footing the whole bill, but you might get something out of them.

FWIW most people don't rate the (GM-derived) V6 as much as Saab's own in-line 4.

James