Heater / A/c In Mitsubishi Mirage

[Coppit]

18 months ago the heater broke down just after the 3 yr warranty ended. Repair cost suddenly dropped from £1k to £500 after I protested. (I've been a regular customer of the dealer for ca. 7 years). Later it seemed I maybe ought to have gone down the 'fitness for purpose' route.
Now the A/C has failed. When I spoke to the dealer he was equivocal as to whether the two systems are governed by the same part. What do I need to know after he has had a look at the car?

[ToraToraTora]

how has the AC failed, still blowing but not cold? probably just needs gassing. Do not go to main dealer, they are olympic standard rip offs. You do not have to under warranty despite what they will claim.

[Buenchico]

As TTT suggests, the system might just need re-gassing. Kwik-Fit recommend getting it done every two years and the RAC website seems to concur:
"Most manufacturers recommend you service your car’s air-con every two years or so".
https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/car-maintenance/air-con-regassing/

Expect to pay around £50 for a re-gas at a local garage (or a tyre-&-exhaust place), or several times that if you're foolish enough to go to a main dealer.

However if it's a part failure be prepared to hand over big money. (My friend was quoted £600 to replace an air-con component).

[Hymie]

Just how long do you expect a new vehicle to run without something going wrong?

I wouldn’t say you have been particularly unlucky having spent £500 on unexpected repairs so far on a car that is more than 4 ½ years old.

[Coppit]

My question was preparatory to the car being collected 11 June and redelivered FOC, for assessment of what's wrong. Will let you know what happens.
I did take it to a local garage for the heater repair but they said it was not possible to access it without special tools.