Re Leaky Sunroof on newly purchased car

fightbackshaun

Hi all

Bought a used car from a small dealership 2 weeks ago, lots of rain yesterday, now discovered there's a leak in the sunroof.

Took it to a body repair specialist this morning, they've diagnosed it's the rubber seal around the sunroof glass that needs repairing.

They've quoted £75-£100 to have it taken off, cleaned and reglued on. Guy said that will be a temporary fix for a couple of years.

Should I contact the seller on this? What would my rights be here?

Thanks

Geodark

fightbackshaun wrote: »

Hi all

Bought a used car from a small dealership 2 weeks ago, lots of rain yesterday, now discovered there's a leak in the sunroof.

Took it to a body repair specialist this morning, they've diagnosed it's the rubber seal around the sunroof glass that needs repairing.

They've quoted £75-£100 to have it taken off, cleaned and reglued on. Guy said that will be a temporary fix for a couple of years.

Should I contact the seller on this? What would my rights be here?

Thanks

Well you could speak to them, but what was the age of the car etc? how much was it? if it was a £500 banger then it could be thats its tough luck, if its a £35k car then yeah get in touch and demand they sort it.

You will have to speak to them before you get the work done though as you will have to give them a go at fixing it.

tacpot12

If you are going to have to spend any of your own money on this, I'd be inclined to spend it on a permanent fix. If you make the seller pay, they would be justified in only repairing the car by just regluing the old one back on.

Heliflyguy

So does the seal need repairing or just cleaning?

If just cleaning the dealer will do that rather than pay someone else, cant see why the seal needs to be removed then cleaned and glued back on either as can be cleaned in situ with the correct cleaner so that would be £75 to run round the seals with some window cleaner.

Are you sure its the seal, generally water will ingress with any sunroof thats why they have drain holes in each corner, are you sure a drain hole/tube is not blocked? where is it getting wet?

elsien

My old Clio leaked like a sieve - never managed to find a permanent fix depite assorted attempts that never lasted for more than about 18 months. Put me off sunroofs for good.

However, are you sure the sunroof itself is leaking. I also had water coming through the aerial bit, which also needed sealing.

marlot

Make sure the sunroof drain holes and pipes are clear. Lots of them leak a little, but it should drain away rather than into the car interior.

tacpot12

Good point about the drain holes. One of the drain pipes on my old Mondeo had come off so that water just drained into the headlining!

Jonesya

If you've only had it 2 weeks and it wasn't super cheap I'd be inclined to contact the dealer and see what they say, worst is they say no but they may fix it.

If you do need to get it fixed yourself I'd have a look onlihe to see if you can buy a replacement glass with seal attached (i assume the seals are fixed round the edge of the glass?) I had the same thing manh years back, picked one up cheap off eBay.

fightbackshaun

Cheers for all your replies all, been trying to sort this for a few weeks now, I used captain tulleys creeping crack cure round the sunroof seal, however, it's still leaking, I've noticed, it seems to be via a screw, right in the centre of the head! Perhaps that's perished and needs changing. Odd.

Exemplar

marlot wrote: »

Make sure the sunroof drain holes and pipes are clear. Lots of them leak a little, but it should drain away rather than into the car interior.

This x 100%

Bought an Alfa 146 sold as leaking, cleared the drain holes in 2 minutes with chopsticks and a long pipe cleaner, voila, no leaks!