What to do about this car situation?

[justamumseekingadvice]

So about a year ago I had an accident and I needed 2 doors replacing (on the same side). I had the car back and it’s been back in 3-4 times ever since because it was leaking and there was issues with the new door seals.

Each time the garage has been really good - happily had it back, given me a courtesy car free of charge and filled up my car with petrol.

So the weather has been really damp where I live and I didn’t use my car for a while (around 2-3 weeks) for insurance and health reasons, I went to get in my car this week and it was covered in white mould - all on the seats, flooring, everywhere!

I initially thought it was where I hadn’t used the car, and I called out a mould specialist to arrange to have it removed and the car cleaned up, however after some discussions I no longer think that was the reason - because surely cars that aren’t used whilst people are on holiday for a couple of weeks don’t go mouldy?!

One of the guys who came out initially said is there a leaking problem and usually mould grows like that when there is moisture coming in from somewhere - typically the sun roof (which I don’t have) or door seals…

So even though I’ve had no further leaking, would it be possible that if the door seals still aren’t 100% that it could cause this?

I’m in 2 minds whether to just pay the guy to clean it and see how it goes, or to get back in touch with the garage and tell them what’s happened because equally I don’t want to have it removed and then it grow back in a matter of weeks if there is a problem with the seal… but because this would be the 4th or 5th time in a year now I also feel like a bit of a pisstaker… (even though I know it’s not my fault and they haven’t completed the job correctly the previous times)

What should I do?!

Take it to a different garage and ask their opinion about whether the seals have been fitted correctly

@Woodswoman the only problem with that is I might have to pay them and that’s something I can’t afford at the moment on top of having this mould removed etc (you cannot drive the car the mould is that bad)

BUMP

Is the car definitely dried out from previous times the doors have leaked? If it were me, I would run it with the heating on full blast and the windows open for a while.

Where do you find mould specialists?

Aircon is best for dehumidifiying if the car has it.

Hard to say if there is still a leak but it could be residual.

You could try getting some of those damp absorbers from the pound shop.

My daughters car leaked from a tiny hole under the roof trim (it was only about 3mm across) and she had no end of problems with water in the car.

It took ages to sort out and involved her boyfriends dad taking the car apart from the inside and drying everything with industrial wet vacs and dryers. If she’d had to pay it would have been cost a fortune due to the time involved.

I’d go back to the original garage and explain what’s happened. Tell them it’s obviously not been sorted and get them to fix it properly.

Have you looked at the gutters in the roof, sometimes the drainage holes get blocked .I had this with a Toyota and loads of water got in.

Is it a Focus? They are notorious for having terrible door seals.

Are you sure its the doors leaking? As for getting it sorted run the car with the heaters on and if you can a dehumidifier in it. It should dry out in no time check the foam under the carpet. Usually there is a hole under the front seats which you can put your hand through. Once dry you should be able to hoover out the mould and assuming the car stays dry it shouldn't come back. Its not an ideal solution but its low cost. For best results find a local detailer who will probably strip out the interior, dry it all individually then treat it all with an enzyme cleaner to properly get rid of the mould. If you can show that its definitely caused by the doors then either the garage or the insurance company should sort this.

I found the specialist online - literally googled mould removal in car in my area - and I’ve had so many problems with the door seals - the garage admitted it was there fault and every time I’ve had it back the doors have started leaking again - this has happened 3-4 in the last year since they’ve put my new doors on. Never had any problem with leaks from anywhere else in the car which is why I’m more inclined to blame the door seals again…

I wonder if the chassis was slightly bent by the impact, in which case seals are not giving a snug enough fit to stop water ingress?

I think I’d call it quits by now and get a new car. I couldn’t be dealing with taking it back for repairs all the time.