I don't find it at all surprinsing that paintwork repairs are not covered to the same extent as the bodywork (which, actually, from the factory, i'd expect could be as much as 10 years)

If the paintwork was accident repair, then you might have a point - although, even then, an approved repair should not affect the new car warranty (whatever that is).

But a 'repair' to a new car definitely should not affect any warranty. They don't even call them repairs, the weasel-word they use IIRC is "rectification". If it has failed because of the difference between the factory process and the rectification, then the dealer/manufacturer must surely sytand behind it - other things being equal. If they are admitting that the car was repainted before delivery then they can hardly expect the buyer to be happy with it.

I had a new, white, Golf once that had a noticeable pink cast to one front wing that was also misaligned. The dealer surmised that it had been 'rectified' at the VAG distribution centre. It was a company car, the company didn't want to pursue it, so it was never reworked.