pity we cant do what theyve done in the states and bring a class action against ford

You could try but here (unlike celebs suing for defamation, as recently demonstrated), getting a far shake for us plebs up against the $Bn coprorations is rarer than hen's teeth. At most (like in parts of the EU) they might've got fined.

You might stand some chance (our forum's resident legal experts should be able to give your chances of getting any redress) if you brought up the Sale of Goods Act/former EU 'standards of manufacture' laws where many products are 'sort-of' guaranteed (unofficially) to be good for at least 6 years from the date of manufacture.

If your car is older than 6 years, then you've likely got zero chance of redress unless the car is still under a dealership warranty.