One week after the 3-year warranty expired on my 2006 SAAB 9-3, the clutch failed. The authorised SAAB garage in Derby said they would try to recoup some good-will remuneration but couldn't guarantee it and their costs were punitive (in the order of £1,200 since they'd renew the flywheel as a matter of course.) My regular garage that specialises in SAABs, would only do what was necessary and I trusted them. They charged just over £600 inc. VAT and gave me the broken clutch plate and slave cylinder for evidence. As the mechanic pointed out, only half of the clutch lining was worn down to the plate, suggesting a manufacturing fault. This after 31,000 miles. I contacted the SAAB dealer, who pointed me to SAAB Customer Service. They said that, for them to offer any remuneration I should have gone to the authorised garage and my possession of a clutch plate is no evidence. It is galling that they say this now, when the dealer had sanctioned my getting the car serviced at the specialist without jeopardizing the warranty. Do you agree that a clutch lining should not wear out after 31,000 miles, especially in the manner that mine did?