Turns out the reason for my boot lid leaking water into the boot is not because outside water comes in, but because the whole lid is filled with water, and when opening the lid, the water runs over the plastic and dow in the boot.

 

Left the car at the dealer this morning. Is it enough if they dry it out and fix the leakage, or should I demand a brand new lid? Who knows what damage the water has done when it comes to future rust and electrical problems.

Firstly going upto the service desk making "demands" isn't really going to help is it!?

Secondly just let them fix it the problem, having a new tailgate would be a bad idea, you have a whole host problems with it maybe not being aligned correctly and there's the fact that it has to be painted and might not match.......

... having a new tailgate would be a bad idea, you have a whole host problems with it maybe not being aligned correctly and there's the fact that it has to be painted and might not match.......

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Well, might be a bad idea, for just the reasons stated.

If they fix the leak OK but you are still worried, and plan to keep the car for long enough for any possible residual dampness to (theoretically) give rise to problems later on, it might be worth removing the trim panel (if possible) to gain access the the inside of the tailgate.  Then, using a mop followed by a hair drier or fan heater, thoroughly dry it out, and then leave bag of silica gel in there for a while to remove any last races of dampness.

If you drive the car daily, just removing the trim panel for a while and allowing the car's heater to warm the interior might help.

Just a suggestion.

You might be right that replacing the entire tailgate isn't the best sollution. But I don't think I should have to do anything to dry and/or save my one-month-old car. It's up to the dealer to make it as if it never happened. However, I think I might ask them to give me a written extension of the warranty when it comes to rust or electrical problem in or adjecent to the tailgate.

...  I don't think I should have to do anything to dry and/or save my one-month-old car. It's up to the dealer to make it as if it never happened ...

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That would take time.  Do you want to leave your car at the dealer's for a few weeks?  Most owners want their cars back as soon as possible, and for the car to be with the dealer for the shortest possible time.  They want to use the car they have bought!

There are some things which (unfortunatley) you may have to accept - however reluctantly - that it is better, quicker, simpler and easier to sort out for yourself.  You could, perhaps, ask them to reove the trim panel for you temporarily, and then re-fit it for you after the tailgate has dried out to your satisfaction.

Otherwise, if I were your dealer and you opted for a new tailgate, I would ask you to sign an indemity against refusing to accet a non-original body part that might not fit as perfectly or be as perfect a colour match as the original body part.

But ... your decision I guess.

 

 

Edited 24 October, 201312 yr by Stuarted

Firstly going upto the service desk making "demands" isn't really going to help is it!?

Secondly just let them fix it the problem, having a new tailgate would be a bad idea, you have a whole host problems with it maybe not being aligned correctly and there's the fact that it has to be painted and might not match.......

 

 

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That would take time.  Do you want to leave your car at the dealer's for a few weeks?  Most owners want their cars back as soon as possible, and for the car to be with the dealer for the shortest possible time.  They want to use the car they have bought!

There are some things which (unfortunatley) you may have to accept - however reluctantly - that it is better, quicker, simpler and easier to sort out for yourself.  You could, perhaps, ask them to reove the trim panel for you temporarily, and then re-fit it for you after the tailgate has dried out to your satisfaction.

Otherwise, if I were your dealer and you opted for a new tailgate, I would ask you to sign an indemity against refusing to accet a non-original body part that might not fit as perfectly or be as perfect a colour match as the original body part.

But ... your decision I guess.

 

 

 

Jesus, what's up with you two? The man has a month old car which has a boot lid filling with water. That would be good enough reason to reject the car, never mind expect for it to be fixed properly at no cost or effort to the OP.

 

I suspect "demand" was used figuratively to indicate he shouldn't accept a patched-up quickie job, rather than mean he was going to go in and start punching his fist on the service desk and shouting :wonder:

 

As for "… some things which (unfortunately) you may have to accept…" What things should he have to accept? A boot lid filling with water after a month? Accept that he's going to have to get his marigolds on and pick up a mop and dry it himself? Fu5k that

 

The car he's just payed a substantial 5-figure sum for has a serious problem and the it's entirely the dealer's liability to fix it to the OP's satisfaction without any inconvenience to him, i.e. courtesy car for as long as it takes to fix at the very least, and possibly an extended warranty to cover any future trouble as a result of the fault.

 

Good luck to the OP and I hope he gets it sorted properly and speedily :sun:

Thanks Jigger72!

Jesus, what's up with you two? The man has a month old car which has a boot lid filling with water. That would be good enough reason to reject the car, never mind expect for it to be fixed properly at no cost or effort to the OP.

 

I suspect "demand" was used figuratively to indicate he shouldn't accept a patched-up quickie job, rather than mean he was going to go in and start punching his fist on the service desk and shouting :wonder:

 

As for "… some things which (unfortunately) you may have to accept…" What things should he have to accept? A boot lid filling with water after a month? Accept that he's going to have to get his marigolds on and pick up a mop and dry it himself? Fu5k that

 

The car he's just payed a substantial 5-figure sum for has a serious problem and the it's entirely the dealer's liability to fix it to the OP's satisfaction without any inconvenience to him, i.e. courtesy car for as long as it takes to fix at the very least, and possibly an extended warranty to cover any future trouble as a result of the fault.

 

Good luck to the OP and I hope he gets it sorted properly and speedily :sun:

+1

I'd be more worried as to how the water is getting in there .....

I have had a replacement tailgate before and they never line up correctly. Get the dealer to leave all the trim off and inspect the inside before you get it back.

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Quite agree - if a car is faulty, you have a right to complain and demand that it be put right or receive appropriate compensation.  And I would not blame anyone in the slightest for insisting on that.

But for some people (and please note that I said some people), the delay and inconvenience may not be worth it.

With regard to the tailgate: if they stop the water getting in, good - sorted.  If they don't stop the water getting in or the problem recurrs, then obviously I'd demand a new tailgate or whatever was needed to fix the problem permanently.

But if the problem is cured and the only issue is ensuring that it gets properly dried out, I'm not sure I would want to incurr the delay of waiting for a new tailgate which may not be as good (e.g., with regard to fit or colour match) as the original one.  Drying it out thoroughly should be a straightforward job but will take time and would be a very simple zero-cost DIY task.

If it were my car I would be glad of a chance to check that the inside of the tailgate was undamaged, corrosion-free and throughly dry.  There would be no chance to check the condition of the inside of a new, replacement tailgate.  But that would only be my preference; others might prefer a different action, and good luck to them.

Each buyer is of course entirely free to make their own choice.

Edited 24 October, 201312 yr by Stuarted

Good response jigger. That level of ingress on effectively a new car is completely unacceptable.

Another thumbs up for Jigger, I'm glad you said it, saved me typing out the same!

There seems to be some confusion here - it might be worth reading what was actually posted.

The OP asked "Is it enough if they dry it out and fix the leakage, or should I demand a brand new lid? Who knows what damage the water has done when it comes to future rust and electrical problems."

Note, he asked for opinions, and I and others offered ours.

No one has ever suggested putting up with a tailgate that leaks.  What was being debated was - after the leak has been fixed - replacing the tailgate anyway in case the ingress of damp had caused any permanent damage.

If it had been me, I might be inclined - once it was certain that the leak had been fixed - to keep the original tailgate and not to insist on it being replaced by a new one, for reasons already clearly explained other posters as well as me.

It is not clear whether Skoda would supply a complete tailgate assembly or just the basic, un-painted steel shell.  To repair accident damage usually just a new shell is supplied, which is sprayed to match and then has the glass, badges, lights, number plate, trim panel and other trim, wiper motor, locks, wiring harnesses, washer nozzle, pipe etc.etc. all transferred from the old, damaged tailgate.  Obvouosly in this case, new replacements for all or most of these items would need to be ordered separately in addition if the possibility of long-term water damage was the concern.

In my case I have very little faith in main dealers getting anything right, and that includes being able to assemble, trim, fit and align a tailgate with anything like the precision of the manufacturer during the initial construction.  And how are you going to check that they really have replaced the wiper motor, locks etc. and all the wiring, if it is hidden from view?

If (as is often the case) the replacement tailgate is supplied un-painted, there is the additional issue of getting a precise colour match.  I wouldn't want a new car with a tailgate that looked as though it has been replaced or re-sprayed following accident damage.

I not only have little confidence in main dealers, I quite enjoy DIY especially if it is a simple, un-skilled but time-consuming task like (with the trim panel removed) waving a hair dryer around for a few minutes, putting an electric fan heater in the rear of a car for a few hours or just driving around for a few days (or weeks) with the heater on.

I was asked for my opinion, and this is it.  The OP is free to accept my suggestion or to reject it.  I shall not be upset either way!

Edited 24 October, 201312 yr by Stuarted