Goodwill payment six months out of warranty - expecting too much?

My ASX was bought at 3 months old and has been serviced at a Mitsubishi dealership each year since. The car is now three years and six months old. The petrol tank is leaking from the seam and has some rust around the area of the leak. The car has never been off-road. I am communicating with Mitsubishi UK and they have said that they may consider a goodwill payment after it has been examined by the local Mitsubishi dealership. Mitsubishi UK have already said, however, that they will not pay for any of the labour costs. Where do I stand and what percentage of the total cost of supplying and fitting a replacement tank (£750) would be reasonable? Surely, a leaking tank at just over three years old and 34,000 miles is not normal.

Asked on 2 December 2015 by Sinky

Answered by Honest John
I don't think a manufacturer and its dealer can get away with a dangerous fault like a leaking fuel tank on a 3 year 6 month old car. So tell the supplying dealer that if you have to pay for it you will sue for the return of your money in the small claims track of the county court on the grounds that the car was not constructed of "satisfactory quality" in the first place. Law here: www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/consumer-rights/
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