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The reason most places will not fix run-flats is liability. The reality is, if you pick up a nail, screw, etc. (not on the shoulder) in a RFT, but it continues to hold air (just like a non-RFT), then it can be repaired like a non-RFT. That means a plug for regular tires and an inside patch for high performance tires. In this case, the RFT has not had to support the vehicle with its reinforced sidewall – so it remains intact.
The concern is, if a RFT loses significant pressure, and is rode on for any length of time with the sidewall as a support, the sidewall gets "used up" and becomes unreliable for another (low pressure) use, not to mention potentially distorted. This doesn't happen with regular tires, because if they don't have enough air to drive, you ain't going anywhere. And if you do, then a non-RFT sidewall gets completely crushed and unusable as well.
As far as usable mileage, my guess is 50 miles is a significant understatement again due to liability. We unfortunately live in a very litigious society, at least here in the USA.
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