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Climate control, bodywork and interior

Problems with water leaks: symptoms, cost and affected models

We have documented 73 faults with water leaks in 68 cars. The most important by severity and frequency: overheating and water ingress in the high-voltage battery (Hybrid versions) (Citroën C5 Aircross), water leaking in through the panoramic roof drains (BMW X3 E83) and starter motor corrosion from water ingress (fire risk) (BMW Serie 4 G22).

Documented faults
73
14 of high or critical severity
Cars analysed
68
with at least one fault on this part
Affected models
68
car generations in our database
Garage repair
No data
No reliable published costs

3 sourcesHow we work

How it works and why it fails

Water leaks

Water gets into the cabin or the boot through door or roof seals, through blocked drains (from the sunroof, the air conditioning or the windscreen area) or through badly sealed tail lights. Besides the damp, it can damage control units and wiring that run under the floor mats.

What to do

If you notice damp floor mats, persistent misting or a musty smell, find the source as soon as possible: clear the roof and windscreen area drains and check the seals. Dry the interior thoroughly to avoid mould and electrical faults.

General explanation by MotorFiable. The specific faults of each engine and car, with their sources, are on the linked pages.

Common symptoms

The symptoms that come up most often in the documented faults with water leaks. Open each one to see what other faults cause it.

Problems with water leaks by car

Faults documented on specific cars, which occur with any engine. From most to least important.

  1. 1Critical severityFrequency: CommonCitroën C5 AircrossOverheating and water ingress in the high-voltage battery (Hybrid versions)The plug-in Hybrid versions of the C5 Aircross built between January 2020 and the end of 2022 have been the subject of several successive manufacturer campaigns over a risk of the high-voltage battery overheating and, in another related campaign, over possible water ingress into its casing.
  2. 2High severityFrequency: CommonBMW X3 E83Water leaking in through the panoramic roof drainsThe drainage channels of the X3 E83's panoramic roof can become blocked and let water in, damaging the electronics; gebrauchtwagenberater.de puts the repair at an official BMW dealer at €2,100, and fiches-auto.fr lists similar cases of up to €2,500.Repair: €2,100
  3. 3Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW Serie 4 G22Starter motor corrosion from water ingress (fire risk)Yes: in September 2025 BMW recalled 4 Series cars (G22, G23 and G26 among them) because the starter motor can let in water and corrode; in the worst case, a short circuit overheats the part and can cause a fire. The press reports that replacing the starter is free of charge.
  4. 4Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW X1 U11Water ingress into the body control unit (BCP) through the panoramic roof drainsIn 2022 BMW recalled 2,958 X1 and iX1 models built between June and September 2022 because the panoramic roof drains could be cracked and let water into the body control unit, with a risk of electrical faults and even fire. The tubes are checked and repaired.
  5. 5Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalVolkswagen Touareg IIWater entering the spare wheel well that may short-circuit the batteryVolkswagen recalled Touareg Hybrids built between 2009 and 2015 because water collecting in the spare wheel well could short-circuit the high-voltage battery cell terminals and thermally destroy it. The DVSA records a parallel campaign with an additional drain as the remedy.
  6. 6High severityFrequency: OccasionalAlfa Romeo StelvioWater ingress into electrical and electronic components on the 2016-2018 StelvioYes: a 2018 campaign covers Stelvios built between December 2016 and May 2018 because water can get into the electrical system and cause several functions to stop working. The DVSA adds that the tailgate could activate and open by itself at speeds of up to about 5 km/h.
  7. 7High severityFrequency: OccasionalFord Mustang Mach-EPanoramic glass roof badly bonded: wind noise and water leaks (2020 and 2021 cars)Yes: Ford recalled the Mustang Mach-E because the panoramic glass roof could be badly bonded, causing wind noise and water leaks and, if it came loose, a risk of it detaching. The DVSA records 1,540 UK cars built between February 2020 and June 2021; the remedy is adding urethane adhesive.
  8. 8High severityFrequency: OccasionalMercedes-Benz GLE V167Air conditioning drain hoses incorrectly fitted: water entering the cabinMercedes recalled the GLE (and GLS) over incorrectly fitted air conditioning drain hoses, which can come loose and let condensation water into the cabin, with a risk of electrical corrosion and fire. The 2023 campaign covers 171,463 vehicles worldwide.
  9. 9Medium severityFrequency: CommonPeugeot 107Water leaks through the tailgate and rear light seals on the Peugeot 107 IOwners describe water getting in through the boot, rear light and door seals, wetting the boot or the floor; it is a sealing fault, with no official campaign, according to reports compiled by fiches-auto.fr.
  10. 10Critical severityFrequency: RareFiat 600Fire risk from water ingress into the 48 V belt-starter generator protection (built 2023-2025)Yes: a recall covers cars built between 28 July 2023 and 19 December 2025 in which insufficient clearance between the petrol particulate filter pipe and the protective cap of the 48 V starter-generator allows water in and can cause an electrical arc and a fire.
  11. 11Critical severityFrequency: RareJeep AvengerFire risk from water ingress into the 48 V starter-generator protection (2023-2025 production)Yes: a 2026 campaign covers MHEV versions built between 9 March 2023 and 18 December 2025 in which insufficient clearance between the particulate filter pipe and the protective cap of the 48 V starter-generator lets water in and can cause an electric arc and a fire.
  12. 12Critical severityFrequency: RareJeep Compass MPWater ingress into the mild-hybrid system's 48 V battery with risk of overheating (2022-2023 production)Yes: a 2023 recall covers MHEV vehicles built between 9 November 2022 and 9 March 2023 in which a manufacturing defect in the 48 V battery allowed water to get in, with a risk of overheating.
  13. 13Critical severityFrequency: RareJeep RenegadeWater ingress into the mild hybrid system battery (1.5 MHEV, built 2022-2023)Safety Gate (25/2023, Jeep code 59A) warns that in Renegade and Compass 1.5 MHEVs built between 9 November 2022 and 9 March 2023 (7,243 units worldwide), a production error allowed water into the battery, with a risk of overheating and fire.
  14. 14Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalAudi Q3 IIWater leaks and cracks in the panoramic roofOn cars fitted with a panoramic roof, a specialist reliability profile documents water leaks and cracks, pointing to blocked drains as the usual reason the seal fails.
  15. 15Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalAudi Q7 4LPanoramic roof that jams or lets water in through the drainsThe Q7 4L's panoramic roof can go out of alignment, jam or let water in when the drains become blocked; the water can reach the boot, the pillars and electronic modules.
  16. 16Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW X3 F25Water leaks through the X3 F25 panoramic roofAccording to Gebrauchtwagenberater.de, the X3 F25's panoramic roof tends to lose its seal over the years and can let water into the cabin.
  17. 17Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalCitroën C1 IWater leaks through the tailgate and rear light seals on the Citroën C1 IOwners describe water getting in through the seals of the tailgate, the rear window, the doors and the third brake light, wetting the boot or the floor; it is a sealing fault, with no official campaign, according to reports compiled by fiches-auto.fr.
  18. 18Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalCitroën C3 Aircross IWater ingress through the door and sunroof sealsSeveral C3 Aircross I owners document repeated water ingress into the cabin, with soaked carpets, through faults in the door seals and, in cars with a sunroof, in the sunroof seal; in at least one case Citroën was unable to supply the replacement seal for several months.
  19. 19Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalCitroën Xsara PicassoUnderbody corrosion and water getting in through the rear doorsSeveral Xsara Picasso owners document corrosion on the underbody and water getting in through the rear doors, as well as trims that peel away over time; these are bodywork problems that worsen with the vehicle's age.
  20. 20Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalFiat StiloWater leaking through the sunroofThe Stilo's sunroof leaks water fairly often according to owner reports, usually because of a sealing problem or blocked drains.
  21. 21Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalFord C-Max IRear wiper motor short circuit caused by water ingress (2003-2005)On cars built between 2003 and 2005, insufficient sealing of the rear wiper control housing lets water in and can cause a short circuit, according to two independent sources.
  22. 22Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalMazda MX-5 IIIBlocked soft-top drains and rust on the sills and rear wingsOn the MX-5 NC, the soft-top drain tubes can clog and overflow into the body structure; British owners cite rust at the bottom of the rear wheel arches, on the sills and under the boot lid.
  23. 23Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalMINI Cooper R56Window cable fatigue on the electric windows, with water leaksThe cable in the electric window mechanism fatigues with use on some Cooper R56s and stops the window closing fully, which also encourages water leaks into the door.
  24. 24Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalMINI Cooper R56Water leaks through the panoramic roof and drains on the Mini Cooper R56Gebrauchtwagenberater.de notes that the R56's panoramic roof tends to let water through, and that blocked drains under the windscreen cause water to enter through the cabin filter and reach the footwells.
  25. 25Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalMitsubishi ASX IWiper motor rusted by water ingress and corroded linkage ball jointOn the ASX, water can get in through the front wiper motor's breather and rust it from the inside, or drip onto the linkage ball joint and corrode it; in the worst case the wipers stop working. Mitsubishi dealt with it through several recalls (Safety Gate A12/1565/17).
  26. 26Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalNissan Note IWater leaks and paint defectsOn some Note I units, water can get in through the rear lights, the tailgate or the windscreen, causing damp in the boot, and the paint or bumpers can peel or rust sooner than expected.
  27. 27Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalPorsche Cayenne IBlocked sunroof drain channels letting water into the cabinThe sunroof drain channels on the Cayenne I become clogged with dirt and water ends up getting into the cabin. Gebrauchtwagenberater and CarWiki cite it as a typical fault and recommend cleaning them regularly; a German workshop warns that the water can reach the electronic control units under the front seats.
  28. 28Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalSeat ExeoWater leaks into the cabin through the roof and doorsAccording to the fiches-auto.fr reports, several Exeo 2.0 TDI owners describe water in the cabin, under the front and rear floor mats, through the roof or in the driver's footwell, with door seals also implicated.
  29. 29Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalSeat León IIWater ingress into the cabin and bootA German buyer's guide notes that water ingress is a problem that, unfortunately, occurs with some frequency on the León II, and recommends looking for damp in the footwells and the boot when viewing the car.
  30. 30Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalToyota Aygo IWater leaks through the tailgate and rear light seals on the Toyota Aygo IOwners describe water getting in through the third brake light seal and the floor and rear door seals, wetting the boot or the floor; it is a sealing fault with no official campaign, according to owner reports gathered by fiches-auto.fr.
  31. 31Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalVolkswagen Touareg IIBlocked panoramic roof drains: water entering the cabinA German workshop points to the four drains of the Touareg II (7P) panoramic roof as a typical weak spot: if they become blocked, water dampens the interior roof, the front passenger footwell and the side of the boot, and in extreme cases it can damage control units under the front passenger seat. It is a single source.
  32. 32Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalVolvo XC90 IIWater getting into the cabin through a faulty air-conditioning drain hoseIn 2016 cars, a faulty air-conditioning drain hose can let water into the cabin and soak the carpet in the front and rear footwells. Volvo fixed it through a recall that reached around 11,000 cars in Germany.Repair: €0
  33. 33High severityFrequency: RareMercedes-Benz Clase B W247Blocked air conditioning drain hose letting water into the cabinYes: the air conditioning condensation drain hose can become blocked and let in water that corrodes or short-circuits the cabin electronics; it affects B-Class cars built between 26 August and 10 October 2019.
  34. 34High severityFrequency: RareOpel Insignia AWater ingress in the tailgate module (Sports Tourer 2008–2011)Safety Gate lists a recall for water entering the tailgate control module of Insignia Sports Tourer vehicles built between June 2008 and August 2011, with a risk of short circuit and fire.
  35. 35Low severityFrequency: CommonRenault Scénic IIIWater ingress into the cabin through blocked drainsThe drains under the windscreen or the air conditioning condensation tube can become blocked on the Scénic III and let water into the cabin footwells, a problem Caradisiac flags as recurring and already present on the Scénic II.
  36. 36Medium severityFrequency: RareAudi A6 C8Badly bonded panoramic roof: noise and leaks in the 2018 Audi A6In the Audi A6 C8 built in 2018, the panoramic roof can creak, whistle or let water in because the bonding surface was contaminated. There was a recall, and workshops re-bond the glass.
  37. 37Medium severityFrequency: RareAudi A6 C8Water leak through the wheel arch in the Audi A6 C8Gebrauchtwagenberater says that in the A6 C8 water can enter through the wheel arch and cause a damp smell in the cabin. Audi has a service action (TPI 2032570/2), and it is worth checking the floor.
  38. 38Medium severityFrequency: RareAudi Q5 IAudi Q5 panoramic sunroof jamming and water leaksThe Q5's panoramic sunroof appears on the entry with jamming, noises and leaks; one owner had it replaced twice and another paid around €1,000 for the sunblind. There are few cases and only testimonies.
  39. 39Medium severityFrequency: RareBMW Serie 5 E60Water leaking in through the sunroof or panoramic roof drainsfiches-auto.fr documents water leaks through the 5 Series E60's sunroof or panoramic roof, with damp carpets and a peeling roof lining trim in several owner reports.
  40. 40Medium severityFrequency: RareBMW X5 E53Water leaks through the sunroof of the X5 E53According to the owner reports collected by fiches-auto.fr (206 for the 2000-2007 X5), there are sunroof sealing problems, with water that has ended up disabling the GPS and the audio.
  41. 41Medium severityFrequency: RareBMW X5 E70Leaks and jamming of the panoramic sunroof on the X5 E70According to fiches-auto.fr, the X5 E70's panoramic sunroof can jam or leak because of blocked drain channels, wetting the floor and electrical modules. One testimony cites €2,000 for the replacement.
  42. 42Medium severityFrequency: RareBMW X5 F15Panoramic roof water leaks and power tailgate failure on the X5 F15According to the owner reports collected by fiches-auto.fr (56 for the 2013-2018 X5), water can get in through the panoramic roof because of blocked drains and damage the wiring, and faults with the power tailgate and the soft-close latch are cited (50d, 90,000 km).
  43. 43Medium severityFrequency: RareMercedes-Benz Clase A W177Badly fitted air-conditioning drain tube, water entering the cabinOn model year 2019 cars, a badly fitted air-conditioning drain tube can let condensation water collect on the cabin floor instead of draining outside.
  44. 44Medium severityFrequency: RareMINI Clubman R55Water leaks into the cabin and sunroof failureAccording to the fiches-auto.fr reports, a 2010 Clubman with 73,000 km took in water on the passenger side and at the rear, and another had to have its sunroof repaired. These are isolated cases, not a fault documented by the press or by a campaign.
  45. 45Medium severityFrequency: RareOpel Insignia BWater ingress into electronic modules and rear light unitsTwo testimonials on fiches-auto.fr describe water ingress: into an electronic module on a 2.0 Turbo (70,000 km, 2020, with the alarm and starting affected) and into the rear light units of a 2.0 diesel.
  46. 46Medium severityFrequency: RarePorsche Cayenne IIBlocked sunroof drains and water entering the cabinWhen the panoramic sunroof drains become blocked, water can enter the cabin and reach the electronic modules under the front seats. A German workshop warns of this for the Cayenne in general, and fiches-auto records two cases on hybrids: a roof flooded at 240,000 km and an amplifier short-circuited by blocked drains.
  47. 47Medium severityFrequency: RareŠkoda RapidWater entering the rear area through poor sealsThere are indications that the Rapid built before 2014 could let water into the rear of the cabin through poorly made door seals, according to Gebrauchtwagenberater, which calls it a serious problem on those units. The fiches-auto.fr entry includes two reports of leaks at the rear doors.
  48. 48Medium severityFrequency: RareŠkoda Superb IIWater leaking into the boot through the panoramic roof drain tubesOn cars with a panoramic roof, two different owners recorded by fiches-auto.fr document water leaking into the boot because of insufficient diameter of the roof drain tubes, to the point of water pooling on the boot floor.
  49. 49Medium severityFrequency: RareŠkoda YetiWater leaks through the Škoda Yeti panoramic roofSeveral Yeti owners with a panoramic roof report water leaks, in one case flooding the cabin, and one case of a misaligned metal frame with a bill of €1,950 according to the entry. It is a pattern in testimonies, not a campaign.Appears at around 15,000 km
  50. 50Medium severityFrequency: RareVolkswagen Scirocco IIIWater leaks through the Volkswagen Scirocco panoramic roofThe sheet describes noises and water leaks through the Scirocco's panoramic roof, with blocked drains and damage in the cabin and boot. These are owner reports, with no recall.
  51. 51Medium severityFrequency: RareVolvo C30Water ingress through the tailgate of the Volvo C30According to the fiches-auto.fr reports, the C30's tailgate can let water into the boot, also via the aerial, and sometimes the tailgate struts need replacing. It is an owner pattern, not an official campaign.
  52. 52Medium severityFrequency: RareVolvo XC60 IWater leaking through the windscreen into the cabin and the pedal areaAccording to the fiches-auto.fr testimonials, some XC60 cars let water in through the windscreen when it rains, flooding the pedal area; the water can reach electronic modules.
  53. 53Low severityFrequency: OccasionalAlfa Romeo 159Water leaks into the cabin and noisy interior plasticsThe Alfa Romeo 159 has built up reports of water getting into the cabin in heavy rain and of noises and creaks from the interior plastics, along with corrosion at the engine mounting and fragile paint.
  54. 54Low severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW Serie 5 F10Water leaks through the door and boot sealsAccording to the reports collected by fiches-auto.fr, some 5 Series suffer water ingress through the rear door seals, the sunroof or the boot, leaving the rear carpets and floor soaked. These are repeated cases but with no known campaign.
  55. 55Low severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW Serie 5 G30Panoramic roof that creaks, sticks or leaksGebrauchtwagenberater.de and fiches-auto.fr report complaints of panoramic roofs that creak or stick when closing, and the odd isolated case of leaking through the drain channel; there are no figures indicating what proportion of cars suffer from it.
  56. 56Low severityFrequency: OccasionalCitroën C1 IIWater getting in through the rear window, under the driver's floor and at the rear lightsAccording to the fiches-auto.fr reports, several second-generation C1 cars suffer leaks: the rear window seal, water under the driver's floor and ingress into the boot and rear lights.
  57. 57Low severityFrequency: OccasionalFord Mondeo IVWater leaking in through the air conditioning drainOn older Mondeo IV cars, the air conditioning condensate drain can become blocked and make water flow back into the cabin instead of draining outside, soaking the upholstery; fiches-auto.fr and gebrauchtwagenberater.de document this independently.
  58. 58Low severityFrequency: OccasionalHonda Civic XCorrosion spots, weak paint and occasional water ingressOwner testimonials describe corrosion spots, marks or chips in the paint and occasional water ingress through the glass, mirrors or a panel on the Civic X.
  59. 59Low severityFrequency: OccasionalHyundai Tucson IVElectric tailgate and fuel flap faults, and water leaksOwner testimonies and a German buying guide agree on occasional faults in the electric access mechanisms of the Tucson NX4: the electric tailgate that does not always operate properly, the fuel flap stuck on the plug-in version, the windscreen washer lines and the occasional water leak through the air conditioning drain.
  60. 60Low severityFrequency: OccasionalMG TFLeaks through doors and hoodParkers points to poor door and hood seals on the MG TF, with a risk of water in the carpet and electrical faults.
  61. 61Low severityFrequency: OccasionalMINI Clubman R55Window regulator failure: windows that do not close fully and let water inAccording to the reports collected by fiches-auto.fr for 2006-2013 Minis, the window regulators fail frequently; on a 2009 Clubman the windows did not close fully and caused water leaks at 82,500 km. There is no known campaign.
  62. 62Low severityFrequency: OccasionalOpel Omega BSunroof drain tubes detached or blocked on the Opel Omega B: water enters the cabinYes: AUTO BILD reports that on the Omega B the sunroof drain tubes can come loose and let water into the roof lining, which ends up mouldy and leaking. Another test notes that water entering through the roof is usually due to blocked drains.
  63. 63Low severityFrequency: OccasionalRenault Mégane IIIWater leaks into the cabinSome Megane III suffer water leaks in the door recesses, in the passenger footwell or in the spare wheel well, according to Caradisiac's reliability sheet.
  64. 64Low severityFrequency: OccasionalRenault Scénic IIWater leaks into the cabin through drains and sealsOn the Scénic II, water can get in through the doors, the boot or around the windscreen when the drains become blocked or the seals age, soaking the carpets and eventually affecting electrical connectors.
  65. 65Low severityFrequency: OccasionalSeat MiiWater leaks through the tailgate and blocked drains on the Seat MiiGerman guides advise checking the boot for damp: they cite water getting in through the tailgate and drains that should be cleared. It is a recurring sealing fault, with no manufacturer recall.
  66. 66Low severityFrequency: OccasionalŠkoda CitigoWater leaks through the tailgate and blocked drains on the Skoda CitigoGerman guides advise checking the boot for damp: they cite water getting in through the tailgate and drains that should be cleared. It is a recurring sealing fault, with no manufacturer recall.
  67. 67Low severityFrequency: OccasionalToyota VersoCorrosion and leaks in the bodywork of the Toyota VersoAccording to fiches-auto.fr, the bodywork is the most-cited area outside the engine on the Verso: 14 cases of rust in the seat mounts, water getting into the boot and fragile paint.
  68. 68Low severityFrequency: OccasionalVolkswagen Touran IWater leaks through the sunroof or the door sealsYes: fiches-auto.fr documents water leaking into the cabin through the sunroof (seals coming unstuck or blocked drains) on the Touran I facelift, and gebrauchtwagenberater.de independently confirms the same problem through the rubber door seals or the sunroof drains.
  69. 69Low severityFrequency: RareAudi A5 IIWater ingress into the boot of the Audi A5 Sportback when opening the tailgateOn the A5 Sportback water can enter the boot when the tailgate is opened, because according to Carwiki.de the sealing lip does not keep it out.
  70. 70Low severityFrequency: RarePeugeot 108Water ingress in the rear lights and tailgate latch failureAccording to testimonies on fiches-auto.fr, some 108s collect water in the rear lights, even after repairs, and in one case the tailgate latch had to be repaired three times in eight months.
  71. 71Low severityFrequency: RareRenault Twingo ILeaks from the folding roof on the Twingo IOn versions with a fabric folding roof (optional from 1993), water can enter through the seal between the frame and the fabric as it wears, and the fabric can crack from UV rays.
  72. 72Low severityFrequency: RareŠkoda CitigoPoorly fitted door seals and water leaks in the doorsSome owners mention poorly fitted door seals that let in wind noise and water, and blocked drains that collect water in the door cavities. It is a pattern in testimonials, with no official campaign.
  73. 73Low severityFrequency: RareVolkswagen up!Poorly fitted door seals and water leaks in the doorsSome owners mention poorly fitted door seals that let in wind noise and water, and blocked drains that collect water in the door cavities. It is a pattern in testimonies, with no official campaign.

Problems with water leaks by make

Problems with water leaks in your car

5 cars have several documented faults with water leaks. Choose yours to see only the ones that affect them, by engine and by year.

Audi 1
MINI 2
Škoda 1
Volkswagen 1

How much it costs to repair a fault with water leaks

Sorted from the most expensive repair to the cheapest. Prices in Spain including VAT (parts and labour); what each figure includes is on its page.

How we calculate costs · The most expensive repairs across all engines

Frequently asked questions

Which cars have problems with water leaks?

Among those we have analysed: Citroën C5 Aircross (overheating and water ingress in the high-voltage battery (Hybrid versions)), BMW X3 E83 (water leaking in through the panoramic roof drains), Volkswagen Touareg II (water entering the spare wheel well that may short-circuit the battery), BMW Serie 4 G22 (starter motor corrosion from water ingress (fire risk)), BMW X1 U11 (water ingress into the body control unit (BCP) through the panoramic roof drains), Alfa Romeo Stelvio (water ingress into electrical and electronic components on the 2016-2018 Stelvio), Ford Mustang Mach-E (panoramic glass roof badly bonded: wind noise and water leaks (2020 and 2021 cars)) and Mercedes-Benz GLE V167 (air conditioning drain hoses incorrectly fitted: water entering the cabin). In total, 68 cars with documented faults with water leaks.

How much does it cost to repair a fault with water leaks?

It depends a lot on the engine or car. At a dealer, from €0 to €2,100, including VAT, based on the 2 faults with a documented cost. The most expensive is water leaking in through the panoramic roof drains (BMW X3 E83).

What symptoms does a fault with water leaks cause?

The most frequently cited in the documented faults: water getting into the cabin or boot, rust or corrosion on the bodywork or underside, electric windows or central locking not responding, hard starting or engine will not start, intermittent electronic warnings or sensor faults and sudden loss of power (limp mode).

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. BMW X3 (E83): Schwachstellen und ProblemeGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  2. Fiabilité BMW X3 (2004-2010): pannes et avis de propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  3. Volvo XC90 II: Probleme, Krankheiten & Rückrufegebrauchtwagenberater.de · Reliability study · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German