It did pay of for me and the best part was, I didn't have to pay for my sollicitor, etc... because it was part of my insurance.

Just go to Ford and threaten (spelling??) them with a sollicitor etc and with the story of life span. Then call Ford UK service and tell them the exact same thing and that your dealer does not want to solve it.

It's just a few phonecalls away.
TRY IT.