Are parts getting hard to find for 2006 cars?

[kulinauk]

Saab 9-3 Estate owner, low mileage, 2006. It failed its MOT on Monday, the left (rear) brakelight stayed on if you pressed the brakes then released with the lights on. This didn't happen on the right side nor did it happen on either side if the lights were off.

The MOT garage said to go to a Saab Specialist, they couldn't figure out the lights. It's a local garage, good for MOT's and little repairs, because I can walk there!

Anyhow, I took it to a local Saab specialist (won't name) I had heard of but never used. I called ahead saying I was in a pinch because we leave for holiday in a few days and I needed to pass the MOT - they said bring it in the next morning (I did) and they said the problem was the LED Lamp Cluster, that it wasn't as simple as swapping a light bulb, the part was £177 if they could find it. I was told that this was a common problem, that they had tried to source this very part a few weeks ago and got the last one out of Holland.

So there I am, thinking I'm out of luck on the MOT and not able to take the Estate on our holiday. They asked me to leave the car, then I get a call that they have found the part, it can be shipped overnight from Sweden for a 20% surcharge and they can fix the car the next day. So, they do just that, don't charge me the 20% (they weren't charged it), and although with labour I'm out £340 for a brakelight, I'm happy that it got resolved.

So i go back to get the free MOT retest, tell the guy in the local garage the above story, and he gives me the same look I gave my inlaws when they said the were going to spend £25K on solarpanels but they were sure they'd get it all back in a few years... his take, I got conned because I was desperate. He asked if I got the faulty part back (I never thought to ask, but no) and if I called around to verify this part shortage (I didn't).

So now I've come to the forum to get your views: Sucker or Satified Customer? Please share your thoughts. I am the type that will write a big thank you to the repair place if their efforts were, as I believed, better than expected. But just thought I'd get a 2nd opinion from this forum first, so type away! Is this a common problem? Is there a part shortage for 5-6 year old Saabs?

[deano93tid]

Personally if you don't know whatever you are charged you will pay if they had told you the problem you should have said thanks etc and come on here to second it where people can advise so at least you can have options on the situation.

I have never heard of this particular issue before and I wouldn't count on it being a common problem too much make sure the lights are sealed for future in case of any water ingress for future cluster problems.

Parts such as this will be easily available on either ebay or specialist parts sites such as partsforsaabs.com