Would an aftermarket sunroof put you off?

[xstian]

I've just enquired about a car which has been fitted with a aftermarket Webasto sunroof. I didn't realise this was still something people had done. The car is 10 years old, so not exactly new and the sunroof was fitted when the car was 2 years old at a cost of £1700.

The sunroof is an elec tilt and slide with the glass sliding back between the roof and the head lining. I assume it must have had a new headlining fitted as well?

Would this put you off?

Cars a Subaru Levorg, so not that many about.

Edited by xstian on Tuesday 6th January 15:54

[mmm-five]

It'd put me off...but I'm averse to sunroofs in general

[ExBoringVolvoDriver]

I am guessing you have seen an invoice for the installation - if so, does it appear to be a reputable firm?

Is there any evidence of leaks from what you can tell and does it work?

If yes to all of those then it wouldn’t bother me

[Hippea]

Yeah it would if I'm honest

[markymarkthree]

If it is a Webasto , it should be fine as they are one of the better ones.

[Richard-D]

Wouldn't consider buying a car with an aftermarket sunroof. I thought this was something that stopped in the 80s.

[fooman]

Used to be common aftermarket thing, I'd say main issue is rust rather than structural integrity, if it looks good still go for it.

[xstian]

I haven’t been to see the car yet, just photos and a video.

The sunroof works as it should, it has a receipt for the work and doesn’t leak. It’s been in for 8 years so any leaks would be quite obvious.

My concern is what they do with the drainage hose? And what the finish around the cut is? I assume from the factory they use a different roof for the sunroof vs non sunroof. I mean it must look neat otherwise no one would do it, but is it just plastic trim glued over a hole cut with an angle grinder?

[ThingsBehindTheSun]

It would put me off. Standard fit ones tend to leak as they get older, I dread to think what an aftermarket one would be like.

That is before I even think about the potential rust where a big hole had been cut in the roof.

[Wacky Racer]

It wouldn't put me off providing it had been done correctly and you inspect it first for leaks with a fine tooth comb..

A had a few cars dome in the 70's and 80's without problems

Capris x 3. Fiat Uno and two Sierras.

[macron]

9.5k in Harpenden? It's cheap, but they're slow, and thirsty, and the roof looks like a small one not a pan.

Sliding cover appears nicely done, nothing to suggest the headlining is off in the one pic on AT.

Insurance an issue for the mod? If not at that price I'd just buy if it's what you want, there are few for sale, seller says up for a deal so I'd offer a nut-kicker and see what happens.

[TrevorHill]

Richard-D said:

Wouldn't consider buying a car with an aftermarket sunroof. I thought this was something that stopped in the 80s.

Exactly this. If you really want the car make sure you run it through a car wash or take it for a drive during heavy rain. It almost certainly will leak.

[markymarkthree]

TrevorHill said:

Richard-D said:

Wouldn't consider buying a car with an aftermarket sunroof. I thought this was something that stopped in the 80s.

Exactly this. If you really want the car make sure you run it through a car wash or take it for a drive during heavy rain. It almost certainly will leak.

Yet my 54 year old car with Webasto does not leak in the rain.
As for running a car through a "car wash".

[xstian]

macron said:

9.5k in Harpenden? It's cheap, but they're slow, and thirsty, and the roof looks like a small one not a pan.

Sliding cover appears nicely done, nothing to suggest the headlining is off in the one pic on AT.

Insurance an issue for the mod? If not at that price I'd just buy if it's what you want, there are few for sale, seller says up for a deal so I'd offer a nut-kicker and see what happens.

I don’t know if it’s particularly cheap, but it does sound like a car with decent history. A lot of the others for sale are imports which can’t tow.

Thanks for everyone’s opinion.