Water ingressing into car
Discussion
Morning all !!
Son in-law had a BMW X5 2017 which was turning into a money pit, He bit the bullet Traded it in for a 2017 VW Tiguan 2.0 TDI 4wd with Panoramic roof ! Paid extra for 6 months warranty and thought he was sorted.
Unfortunately came to go out Friday after the horrific storm we had and found the passenger side footwell flooded.
He wet vacuumed it out but yesterday back to square one !!
Rang the Garage bought it from they said its not covered by warranty ? Can understand not being covered if he had driven though a flooded ford fair enough ! But don't understand why not cover by water coming in ?
Doesn't know where water is coming in.
Any advice gratefully received.....
Son in-law had a BMW X5 2017 which was turning into a money pit, He bit the bullet Traded it in for a 2017 VW Tiguan 2.0 TDI 4wd with Panoramic roof ! Paid extra for 6 months warranty and thought he was sorted.
Unfortunately came to go out Friday after the horrific storm we had and found the passenger side footwell flooded.
He wet vacuumed it out but yesterday back to square one !!
Rang the Garage bought it from they said its not covered by warranty ? Can understand not being covered if he had driven though a flooded ford fair enough ! But don't understand why not cover by water coming in ?
Doesn't know where water is coming in.
Any advice gratefully received.....
Either the sunroof drain or, if it's anything like older VW's it could be the inlet for HVAC system that sits in the scuttle panel on the passenger side. The trouble with a leak there used to be that there was a ECU in the passenger footwell and any leak would eventually damage that. Get it sorted ASAP.
Here's a good video on resolving a sunroof leak, albeit on a Bentley, but it's basically a VW and the principle is exactly the same
https://youtu.be/VuAOlX7GZFA?si=jrjbnvtTmzjtWx2M
Here's a good video on resolving a sunroof leak, albeit on a Bentley, but it's basically a VW and the principle is exactly the same
https://youtu.be/VuAOlX7GZFA?si=jrjbnvtTmzjtWx2M
Most of the time the warranty on second hand cars aren't worth the paper they're written on.
I'd suggest taking the car through a wash and looking to see where the water is coming from. That will at least let you know where the problem is. Could just be a worn seal on one of the doors or the roof.
Will also be worth buying one of those dehumidifier bags that you can pop in the microwave. They'll get rid of any excess damp once you've fixed the issue.
I'd suggest taking the car through a wash and looking to see where the water is coming from. That will at least let you know where the problem is. Could just be a worn seal on one of the doors or the roof.
Will also be worth buying one of those dehumidifier bags that you can pop in the microwave. They'll get rid of any excess damp once you've fixed the issue.
As mentioned above, start with the roof drains,scuttle drains and cabin filter assembly. The pano roofs on similar era cars, also had a habit of the plastic roof frame cracking over time, requiring extensive disassembly and application of ‘creeping crack’ type sealers.
Being a VAG car of that era,many also like to let water in via the slam vents, rear lights etc, so thoroughly check the rear quarter wells, spare wheel well ( if it has one) and under the rear seats.
Good luck, hideous problem.
Being a VAG car of that era,many also like to let water in via the slam vents, rear lights etc, so thoroughly check the rear quarter wells, spare wheel well ( if it has one) and under the rear seats.
Good luck, hideous problem.
As mentioned already, warranty won't be worth the paper it's written on. However, how long has he had the car? I'm guessing less than six months as he was hoping the six month warranty he purchased would cover it? So, the dealer could be on the hook for it...
A quick Google says...
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, the dealer is likely liable, especially if the fault is discovered within the first six months of purchase. The law provides that goods sold must be of "satisfactory quality," "fit for purpose," and "as described," taking into account the vehicle's age and mileage.
Dealer Liability in the UK
Your rights depend on the timeframe in which you discovered the fault:
A quick Google says...
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, the dealer is likely liable, especially if the fault is discovered within the first six months of purchase. The law provides that goods sold must be of "satisfactory quality," "fit for purpose," and "as described," taking into account the vehicle's age and mileage.
Dealer Liability in the UK
Your rights depend on the timeframe in which you discovered the fault:
- Within the first 30 days: You have the short-term right to reject the car and get a full refund. You must contact the dealer promptly and inform them of the issue.
- Between 30 days and six months: You lose the automatic right to a full refund, but the law works in your favour. It is legally assumed that the fault was present at the time of purchase, and the burden of proof is on the dealer to prove otherwise. The dealer has one opportunity to repair the vehicle or provide a replacement. If they fail to fix it, you are then entitled to a refund, though a reasonable deduction may be made for the use you've had of the car.
- After six months: The burden of proof shifts to you, the consumer. You would need to provide evidence, such as an independent technical report from an expert, to prove that the fault existed at the time of purchase.
- Act Promptly: Contact the dealer immediately in writing (email or letter) to report the water leak and document all communications.
- Allow Repair: Give the dealer one opportunity to fix the issue at no cost to you.
- Document Everything: Keep records of all correspondence, dates, and any repair attempts. Take photos or videos of the water in the footwell as evidence.
- Seek Expert Advice if Needed: If the dealer is uncooperative or unable to fix the issue, consider getting an independent report from a garage or expert to help your case.
- Escalate: If the dealer refuses to resolve the matter, you can seek advice from Citizens Advice or consider using an alternative dispute resolution service like the Motor Ombudsman.
Every VAG car I have ever owned has let water in somewhere in the end. Scuttle drains, sunroof drains, door seals, door cards, once though the aerial mount on the roof.
Combined with their habit of hiding electronics under the floor where any water naturally collects, it's a recipe for trouble. It's one of the main reasons I don't t have a Vw/Audi anymore.
OP - try clearing the scuttle drains as per that video and also check the door seals and behind the door cards for signs of water ingress. Those are the easy things to do.
If that doesn't sort it, personally I would get rid. If not you're in for a fair bit of tiresome detective work. Tracing water leaks into the interior is tedious and tricky. Worth it on a special car that you want to preserve, but not really on an old Tiguan, imo.
Combined with their habit of hiding electronics under the floor where any water naturally collects, it's a recipe for trouble. It's one of the main reasons I don't t have a Vw/Audi anymore.
OP - try clearing the scuttle drains as per that video and also check the door seals and behind the door cards for signs of water ingress. Those are the easy things to do.
If that doesn't sort it, personally I would get rid. If not you're in for a fair bit of tiresome detective work. Tracing water leaks into the interior is tedious and tricky. Worth it on a special car that you want to preserve, but not really on an old Tiguan, imo.
OP, how long has he had the car?
As said, often these warranties they provide are a bit crap, although I have had several issues sorted on a car under warranty but no idea if the garage just paid out for the repairs from their own pocked or used it.
That said, the car should be fit for purpose so if this is a fairly recent purchase, the garage should be willing to look at it and not shirk their responsibilities. Under 3 months and it lays with them.
As said, often these warranties they provide are a bit crap, although I have had several issues sorted on a car under warranty but no idea if the garage just paid out for the repairs from their own pocked or used it.
That said, the car should be fit for purpose so if this is a fairly recent purchase, the garage should be willing to look at it and not shirk their responsibilities. Under 3 months and it lays with them.
I’ve been through a similar adventure with my Mercedes CLS where I was getting water wicking up the A pillar. I took off the A pillar trim and carefully inspected headlining etc for any clues.
I squirted water at various bits of the car with a sports drink bottle/bidon. This allowed me to be very precise and rule things in or out. Bear in mind it can take a bit of time for the water to build up and seep in.
In the end I traced it to a failing windscreen bond, recently very competently sorted by Glassman of these pages.
Another car leaked through the door trim membrane, and pano roofs, either drain joins, seals or pipes themselves seem frequent offenders. Also test scuttle and any other drains.
It’s immensely frustrating- good luck!
I squirted water at various bits of the car with a sports drink bottle/bidon. This allowed me to be very precise and rule things in or out. Bear in mind it can take a bit of time for the water to build up and seep in.
In the end I traced it to a failing windscreen bond, recently very competently sorted by Glassman of these pages.
Another car leaked through the door trim membrane, and pano roofs, either drain joins, seals or pipes themselves seem frequent offenders. Also test scuttle and any other drains.
It’s immensely frustrating- good luck!
glennjamin said:
Morning all !!
Son in-law had a BMW X5 2017 which was turning into a money pit, He bit the bullet Traded it in for a 2017 VW Tiguan 2.0 TDI 4wd with Panoramic roof ! Paid extra for 6 months warranty and thought he was sorted.
Unfortunately came to go out Friday after the horrific storm we had and found the passenger side footwell flooded.
He wet vacuumed it out but yesterday back to square one !!
Rang the Garage bought it from they said its not covered by warranty ? Can understand not being covered if he had driven though a flooded ford fair enough ! But don't understand why not cover by water coming in ?
Doesn't know where water is coming in.
Any advice gratefully received.....
How mechanically competent is he / his friends?Son in-law had a BMW X5 2017 which was turning into a money pit, He bit the bullet Traded it in for a 2017 VW Tiguan 2.0 TDI 4wd with Panoramic roof ! Paid extra for 6 months warranty and thought he was sorted.
Unfortunately came to go out Friday after the horrific storm we had and found the passenger side footwell flooded.
He wet vacuumed it out but yesterday back to square one !!
Rang the Garage bought it from they said its not covered by warranty ? Can understand not being covered if he had driven though a flooded ford fair enough ! But don't understand why not cover by water coming in ?
Doesn't know where water is coming in.
Any advice gratefully received.....
Easy check for the sunroof. Run it fully back, then with a water bottle, watering can or even a hosepipe on a low setting. Run water into the channel and make sure its running out the bottom of the car. Probably somewhere near the bottom of the A pillars just behind the wheels.
If it isnt great. Thats the problem. Then you need to remove interior trims to ensure its all attached.
If its not, then move to the scuttle panel area. and pour water in and see if its getting into the footwell. Probably have to pull the carpet right back to see the metal of the floor
Then try door window seals.
Also can be water getting in via the rear lamps and then running forwards under the carpet until it pools in the footwell.
BunkMoreland said:
Then try door window seals.
This is the first thing I would check, just make sure they are all seated correctly. Not folded over or deformed at any point.Seems obvious but water tracking under and around a poorly seated door seal had me looking at a flooded footwell numerous times.
glennjamin said:
Paid extra for 6 months warranty and thought he was sorted.
Rang the Garage bought it from they said its not covered by warranty.
Any advice gratefully received.....
I'm guessing from the above he bought it less than six months ago.Rang the Garage bought it from they said its not covered by warranty.
Any advice gratefully received.....
Get him to call Citizens advice to discuss the CRA.
This could well be an expensive repair, and he's owned the car less than six months.
Alex_225 said:
OP, how long has he had the car?
As said, often these warranties they provide are a bit crap, although I have had several issues sorted on a car under warranty but no idea if the garage just paid out for the repairs from their own pocked or used it.
That said, the car should be fit for purpose so if this is a fairly recent purchase, the garage should be willing to look at it and not shirk their responsibilities. Under 3 months and it lays with them.
If its less than 6 months(not 3) since the purchased it is assumed to have existed when the car was purchased unless the dealer can prove otherwise. Responsibility of dealer to As said, often these warranties they provide are a bit crap, although I have had several issues sorted on a car under warranty but no idea if the garage just paid out for the repairs from their own pocked or used it.
That said, the car should be fit for purpose so if this is a fairly recent purchase, the garage should be willing to look at it and not shirk their responsibilities. Under 3 months and it lays with them.
repair the fault. Warranties often offered as a way of diverting responsibility from dealer to warranty company. Report fault to them(supplying dealer) in writing and arrange for them to do repairs. They have one change to get this right, if not successful you can reject the car.
Do do anything to it yourself(despite all comments already made) - if you want reassuring about your rights ring trading standards they are very good at explaining this.
Edited by twokcc on Sunday 11th January 16:22
normalbloke said:
As mentioned above, start with the roof drains,scuttle drains and cabin filter assembly. The pano roofs on similar era cars, also had a habit of the plastic roof frame cracking over time, requiring extensive disassembly and application of creeping crack type sealers.
Being a VAG car of that era,many also like to let water in via the slam vents, rear lights etc, so thoroughly check the rear quarter wells, spare wheel well ( if it has one) and under the rear seats.
Good luck, hideous problem.
The door seals are garbage as well, poorly designed so can easily fold over the drain holes. I have to take a litre or so out of a passenger door in my Octavia Scout from time to time. It's my fishing car so i will destroy it anyway before it becomes a major problem.Being a VAG car of that era,many also like to let water in via the slam vents, rear lights etc, so thoroughly check the rear quarter wells, spare wheel well ( if it has one) and under the rear seats.
Good luck, hideous problem.
Unfortunately if the footwell was flooded it may be necessary to take the seats and carpets out.
There can be a lot of foam and soundproofing in footwells which will soak up a huge amount of water. A wet vac won't get near it. A dehumidifier might help in the short term.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but he has to get that completely dried out or risk a huge range of problems from condensation to electrical gremlins.
There can be a lot of foam and soundproofing in footwells which will soak up a huge amount of water. A wet vac won't get near it. A dehumidifier might help in the short term.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but he has to get that completely dried out or risk a huge range of problems from condensation to electrical gremlins.
Unreal said:
Unfortunately if the footwell was flooded it may be necessary to take the seats and carpets out.
There can be a lot of foam and soundproofing in footwells which will soak up a huge amount of water. A wet vac won't get near it. A dehumidifier might help in the short term.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but he has to get that completely dried out or risk a huge range of problems from condensation to electrical gremlins.
Yep, that ^.There can be a lot of foam and soundproofing in footwells which will soak up a huge amount of water. A wet vac won't get near it. A dehumidifier might help in the short term.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but he has to get that completely dried out or risk a huge range of problems from condensation to electrical gremlins.
Not a job you can half arse.
My lad had a blocked convertible roof drain on his car when hit by storms last year. Passenger footwell was 3 inches deep in water. Luckily it's an mx-5 NB, so removing the seat and lifting the carpet took 10 minutes. Still had to scrape off all the old foam/soundproofing and put some new stuff in. Also had to remove the ECU, clean it. Car wouldn't start. Then had to find the 3 corroded pins on the ECU connector (loom side luckily) and replace them.
Then had to show him the cheap ebay tool for cleaning the drains, where they are, and tell him to do it with every oil change.
glennjamin said:
Morning all !!
Son in-law had a BMW X5 2017 which was turning into a money pit, He bit the bullet Traded it in for a 2017 VW Tiguan 2.0 TDI 4wd with Panoramic roof ! Paid extra for 6 months warranty and thought he was sorted.
Unfortunately came to go out Friday after the horrific storm we had and found the passenger side footwell flooded.
He wet vacuumed it out but yesterday back to square one !!
Rang the Garage bought it from they said its not covered by warranty ? Can understand not being covered if he had driven though a flooded ford fair enough ! But don't understand why not cover by water coming in ?
Doesn't know where water is coming in.
Any advice gratefully received.....
I say we all go down to the local Shell Select and wait for this to all blow over. How about eating some gosh darn damn diddly deliciously delectable, ooey-gooey, oh-so-chewy Deli by Shell DoughnutsSon in-law had a BMW X5 2017 which was turning into a money pit, He bit the bullet Traded it in for a 2017 VW Tiguan 2.0 TDI 4wd with Panoramic roof ! Paid extra for 6 months warranty and thought he was sorted.
Unfortunately came to go out Friday after the horrific storm we had and found the passenger side footwell flooded.
He wet vacuumed it out but yesterday back to square one !!
Rang the Garage bought it from they said its not covered by warranty ? Can understand not being covered if he had driven though a flooded ford fair enough ! But don't understand why not cover by water coming in ?
Doesn't know where water is coming in.
Any advice gratefully received.....
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