Hi Smokie,
I think the issue is that these larger corporations think they can just copy and paste messages to people and most people will not pursue further. I just returned from the authorised repairer today and said he has had 3 more brought in today, all the same thing, all straight to red light and all MG deny under not being under warranty.
He agreed that this is an issue, and he as a repairer believes it should be covered because the system is designed to alert people prior by turning on amber light - that the driver needs to either get the motor moving or get in for service. On every occasion he has had at the garage all have been reported as red light.
From his point of view he cannot repair for free because he will not be paid by MG, which I totally understand. He needs to make a living.
The problem is he says a lot of people just pay because they need their car and very few people actually bother to take it further.
There are a lot of other forums across the internet I have subsequently found where people are reporting the same issue. Several people already expressing an interest.
I know the driving patterns of this car. 2 trips each day - one to her office the other home. Both trips are long motorway trips.
From my point I can afford the repair, its not a cash issue. But I can imagine with this type of vehicle, its appealing cost, the idea of a 7 year warranty that the target market is people with limited means. This car is not targeted at people who can afford a more expensive car, so in most cases this sort of issue causes them huge problems - not able to get to work, take care of children, elderly loved ones not able to make trips etc
In this economical environment someone has to stand up for those who may not have the means to do so. I would happily pay for our own problem to be resolved if MG agreed to change their policy on this for every other vehicle they sold.
Additionally the idea of a particulate filter on a petrol car is silly. Not only does it reduce the performance of the car increasing consumption throughout a calendar year, it ends up causing problems like this on more occasions than not. The second hand car market is rife and a lot of these will end up in that international market with those filters just plain and simple ripped out and jailbroken so the light does not come on.
