A little over 3 months ago I bought an SDI Classic Skoda Approved Fabia.

As the weather was dry afterwards, no problem appeared but after some time I discovered that I had water getting in thro the rear hatch. Upon raising the hatch, water would leak our through the gap in the trim on the left around head level.

I waited til I had a nice amount of internal water before taking the car to Bickerton, Sheffield to be checked out. It took them a day and a half to determine that it was a faulty tailgate seal even tho it was said to be an obvious fault once checked. I booked the car in for the work but had to re-schedule for the following week. Before work commenced I was asked how I was going to pay. 'Warranty' I replied. Long face. 'I don't think water leaks are covered.' Went to get warranty document. One of the exclusions IS water ingress which, I was told, includes seals.

Had 'discussion' with service manager. I do NOT expect a car to let in water when I buy it, nor shortly afterwards. This is Britain. It rains. Cars need to be water-tight. No other car I have had, be they much older, have had problems with water leaks. In the end, he offered to fit seal with 10% discount and no labour.

I take it its not because the rear screen wash pipe has fallen off?

I take it its not because the rear screen wash pipe has fallen off?

Thanks for a quick reply

From reading this excellent forum I was aware of the screen wash pipe problem and was able to exclude it as the reason for the water. Definitely rain.

When I first got the car back I was told they had taken the trim off and checked and it was obvious where the leak was coming from and the part was on order.

I wasn't told specifically where the leak was but they had ordered the part. The part in question as fitted last friday is a 6Y0827705C gasket, job description: 'renewed tailgate seal'.

Annoying as hell even tho I know there are many worse problems I could have!

I suppose to Bickerton it's just a second hand Skoda approved Fabia SDi, not a flashy brand spanking new one, but to me it's a big outlay and one I expect to keep for a few years. I don't expect to be getting into arguments so soon after buying a car with "12 months minimum comprehensive parts and labour warranty".

The thing is if the water is coming in through the tailgate trim it must be entering through the rear window. Replacing the hatch seal wont sort that, sounds like the rear screen needs re sealing to me or maybe water is getting in around the rear wiper motor grommet.

This is the part they changed.

Still think its a rear screen myself.

Still think its a rear screen myself.

That would be my first uneducated guess.

A few weeks ago, during a downpour, I had a look at the rear hatch and noticed that just below the glass, the metal stands proud of the glass, allowing the water to drain down and puddle in that area. I would guess that it would seep in there, underneath the glass.

How is the glass sealed in?

Bonded same as the windscreen.

I don't know if the hatch is same/simlar hinge arrangement to my estate but from new I had a leak - water settling on the luggage compartment cover. I put some silicone around the hinge socket (sealin the hinge to the body) and no more leak.