Core shift - any redress?

It could well be corrosion due to not using the correct coolant at all times. So outside the control of the maker.

If you are thinking of the original maker from 20 years ago - no. Firstly they have no contractual link with you, secondly, even if they did the claim would be outside the 6 year limitations period.

Yes that's part of the issue, the guy this has happened to is at least the 3rd owner. Even if it was owned from new the claim would be against the dealer. Who has no doubt been taken over or gone bust or done some other legal thing to avoid claims.

In the UK most would have been sold by AFG the Nissan importers and not Nissan UK.

Are you thinking of the 6 year bodywork anti perforation warranty?

I got a Canon A85 camera I bought in Nov 2004 fixed FOC in Sept last year. This FOC repair will run forever, no 6 year limit or first owner requirement. They were made bad right from the start, the defect existed at time of sale - ie inside the 12 month period.

If it was just one hole it would be highly probably that it was a corrosion defect, of if holes were at random locations but these 3 are all on same side and location of bore.

Errr..no, the Limitations Act of 1980 which gives the ordinary time limits for bringing actions. In the case of actions under the Sale of Goods Act this is 6 years.

"An action founded on simple contract shall not be brought after the expiration of six years from the date on which the cause of action accrued.". The "cause of action" is the contract for the original sale, not the date on which the problem was detected.

Basically, after 6 years you have no comeback whatsoever against the seller for any defect which occurs even if you could have shown it was their fault.

Not on a 20 year old block, you can ask whoever rebored it what their warranty is.