Some interesting comments and many with adverse experiences related to a certain company that offers breakdown services too. As an avid reader fof motoring columns and forums, I've taken warranty and 'approved vehicle' claims from such companies with a pinch of salt, as there is no consistency and a questionable audit process.

My only warranty claim experience was on a 58-plate Mini Cooper S which I bought as a Mini Cherished car in late 2013 with 51k on the clock. After 6 weeks, a bad misfire developed and after a roadside inspection and the car transported to a Mini franchise, they discovered low compression in No. 2 cylinder. Being warned that further stripping could render me liable for a bill if what they discovered was not covered by warranty, I said proceed, and the diagnosis was a broken piston. It was worse that metal swarf had entered the oilways and in short, the engine was contaminated with metal particles. Car needed new short engine.

Mini warranty accepted the claim, provided a rental car during the repair process which took a couple of weeks and included several new ancillaries. The 'book' price was £6,500 on a car that cost £7,500 and Mini picked up the bill. Ran the new engine in very carefully and was delighted with how claim had been handled.

Six months later was l losing water, and problem was thermostat housing that was renewed at engine time. Again, Mini took full care, but because part was on back order, we swapped the hired BMW after 4 days for something else, but again, an efficient and fuss-free process through my local Sytner dealership.

The way my claim was handled and I was treated was how a warranty should be honoured, none of the wear & tear cobblers as an escape route. I should add that with BMW/Mini warranty, the claim limit is the value of the vehicle when bought used, so will not diminish in value as the car's value drops - unlike many policies which cover £1000 labour and parts which goes nowhere on a complex modern engine.

I lease a Vauxhall Corsa, just over one year old, and the front suspension steering bar snapped (wishbone) on a busy high street at 18mph!! The front end collapsed onto the floor!
Vauxhall dealership says it has never come across anything like this before and is not sure it will be covered by the manufacturer's warranty, yet Vauxhall warranty includes suspension and steering.
It's been over 2 weeks since this happened, and I have no car and no assurance from Vauxhall that it will be fixed.
What do you advise?

And if the Fiesta is too small, there's the Focus which also ticks most of your boxes, V4 Heaven. There are lots of both models around to choose from, and because Fords lose their value quickly, a used one can be a very good buy.

As for not telling your insurance which I think someone suggested, it is an offence in itself to not report all RTC,

Not aware that was the case, i suggested the OP let the third party's insurer deal with it and avoid some credit hire mob if at all possible, it was the OP's car hit by a runaway Antara from how i read it, maybe it's me who has the wrong end of the stick.

Though it appears the OP has vanished without trace anyway, maybe still waiting on the phone for Hastings, and we'll never know what happened....

Thanks SLO76 another one on the list .