Rear Passenger Footwell Flooded Leak

[Nosh]

The rear passenger footwell on my 03 Yaris behind the drivers seat was flooded with rainwater.

Managed to trace it to the rear drivers side lights cluster seal, which is suddenly letting in a shed load of rainwater.

Anyone know, are the seals replaceable/costs? or has anyone tried a successful fix with clear silicone sealant?

tia, nosh

[T600]

Isn't your car still under warranty then?

[Demonic Angel]

If its 03 it should be warrantied up til at least March 06, unless its done more than 30k miles

If its warrantied, get them to fix it mate!

[Nosh]

Its done 39500 miles, but I'll try them anyways on the warranty thing.

Twill be nice to have the car dry for the winter tho' even if it costs a few pennies. Have a funny feeling the problem was there for ages, as the windows were always steamed up a bit on wet mornings. Only by chance did I look at the footwell and find the wet.

Still love this motor tho' despite the niggle, these D-4D's are fantastic, mind boggling economy for the performance -especially with a trickle of acetone in the tank ;-)

[T600]

Yes, they should fix it, and you need it sorting properly or else the carpets will rot, and the floor will rust.

Mileage shouldn't be an issue with this problem anyway, but isn't the Toyota Warranty 3 years / 60,000 miles anyway. I'm pretty sure it is now, and probably was in 03.

Good luck Nosh. Don't take any rubbish from the dealers on this. They sometimes forget that they get paid to sort out warranty problems. And the main reason anyone buys a new car is to be covered against this sort of problem.

[Blue84]

Yeah definately give the warranty a try, don't see it being a major problem really tho...perhaps over time the seal has simply loosened a bit or something

[Demonic Angel]

Yes, they should fix it, and you need it sorting properly or else the carpets will rot, and the floor will rust.

Mileage shouldn't be an issue with this problem anyway, but isn't the Toyota Warranty 3 years / 60,000 miles anyway.  I'm pretty sure it is now, and probably was in 03.

Good luck Nosh.  Don't take any rubbish from the dealers on this.  They sometimes forget that they get paid to sort out warranty problems.  And the main reason anyone buys a new car is to be covered against this sort of problem.

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Hmmm.... maybe you're right.... maybe I'm thinking of servicing, which is every 10k miles....

Anyhoo - get to Mr T and get it sorted!

[Blue84]

I'd heard it was 60,000 too actually

[Demonic Angel]

Thats because it is and I just admitted I was wrong!

[T600]

We know. We just like to gloat. :D :D :D :D

[Demonic Angel]

Well, its rare that I am wrong.... !

[Nosh]

Thanks for the posts guys. BTW the seal is sort of that springy expanding foam style stuff, which I know from other cars sort of loses its 'puff' after a while, so no big hassle to repair/replace I suppose.

THANKS ALL

[T600]

You're welcome Nosh. Good luck.

Em, we know; that's why we have to make the most of it.

[Demonic Angel]

Yeah you'll never get another chance to make me look like a fool!

[Nosh]

Argh! Dudes! The dealership looked over the car and apparently the motor has been involved in a rear end shunt and been very badly repaired, and the leak is from the badly fitted panels, not the lights cluster.

Wot p***es me off is that I bought the motor as first owner, the car previously having been a certain other Toyota dealer's demo/staff-use car. I was told it was absolutely as-new and had no accidents.

The damage isn't coverable under warranty. I phoned the selling dealer and they said they'd get back. I am seriously upset. Do I have any right to a full (and better) replacement? Accident damaged cars no-likee.

On the upside, I did get to check out the new Yaris, they had one under wraps and I got me grubbys on it. Much bigger feeling car and it has an air of more solid build quality. There was also talk (unconfirmed)of a 180bhp diesel engine option popping up in a D-4D Yaris. With 400Nm torque the mind boggles.

[T600]

Ouch. That's nasty Nosh. I guess it's hard to prove that the dealer told you it was as new and undamaged, unless you have it in writing?

How long have you had the car?

I would think the dealer that sold it to you at least has to put right the faults, but I imagine you really want them to replace it with one that hasn't been damaged. That might be tricky unless you can prove that they misrepresented it when they sold you it.

You could see what advice your local trading standards has on this.

[jane-b]

If you are with the AA or RAC call their legal department for free advice on what to do next

[Nosh]

Had it just over a year. Only recently been ungaraged to show the leak.

Well, they can't prove they did advise me, as they would have had me sign some sort of caveat that they did.

I do assume they'll offer to fix. But the inconvenience is huge, not to mention being without wheels, so I'demand a courtesey car.

I am minded to ask for a full 8K p/x on the new Yaris :-) wonder if I'd get it LoL

[Blue84]

Argh! Dudes!  The dealership looked over the car and apparently the motor has been involved in a rear end shunt and been very badly repaired, and the leak is from the badly fitted panels, not the lights cluster.

Wot p***es me off is that I bought the motor as first owner, the car previously having been a certain other Toyota dealer's demo/staff-use car. I was told it was absolutely as-new and had no accidents.

The damage isn't coverable under warranty. I phoned the selling dealer and they said they'd get back.  I am seriously upset.  Do I have any right to a full (and better) replacement? Accident damaged cars no-likee.

On the upside, I did get to check out the new Yaris, they had one under wraps and I got me grubbys on it.  Much bigger feeling car and it has an air of more solid build quality.  There was also talk (unconfirmed)of a 180bhp diesel engine option popping up in a D-4D Yaris. With 400Nm torque the mind boggles.

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That's awful!! I'm not quite sure what to suggest unfortunately but I hope you get it sorted.

[Demonic Angel]

Its a difficult one.....

I'm not sure where you stand legally, however if they told you it was "as new" then that would tell me they have lied about the history of the car and if it can be proven that it was whilst in their ownership, then the balls in your court...

The fact its only just come to light after a year however, is strange, because surely you'd have had the problem before....

My advice is to get some official advice, try Citizens Advice or even a solicitor, because if they knowingly sold you a car with defects.... there are laws to protect customers against false advertising, so if you asked them if the car had been in a rear shunt and they said NO, only for it to be true, they can get done for it.

[Nosh]

>...The fact its only just come to light after a year however, is strange, because surely you'd have had the problem before....

Not really, I have just moved house and the motor was garaged before and not left out in downpours. Also, I have had rear passengers maybe for 5 trips, ever. I just never looked or felt the carpet there. I only noticed as a recent torrential downpour made the water pool. And as for the water getting in the spare wheel area, well I have never had a puncture, so again never went there.

The dealer has got back in touch. Strangely they didn't even have knowledge of the car at first. Then they say the car has never been in any Toyota body shop... the plot thickens... To cut a long story good though, they have promised to make good on the new Yaris, so we'll see what kind of deal they offer. They have a new-spec D-4D in stock...

[Blue84]

Glad to hear they promised to make good on the new D4d, wonder what they'll do with your car tho? Sell it on again?

[Demonic Angel]

>...The fact its only just come to light after a year however, is strange, because surely you'd have had the problem before....

Not really, I have just moved house and the motor was garaged before and not left out in downpours.  Also, I have had rear passengers maybe for 5 trips, ever.  I just never looked or felt the carpet there.  I only noticed as a recent torrential downpour made the water pool.  And as for the water getting in the spare wheel area, well I have never had a puncture, so again never went there.

The dealer has got back in touch.  Strangely they didn't even have knowledge of the car at first.  Then they say the car has never been in any Toyota body shop... the plot thickens...  To cut a long story good though, they have promised to make good on the new Yaris, so we'll see what kind of deal they offer.  They have a new-spec D-4D in stock...

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I see what you mean, I wasn't trying to say you were lying.... just observing what they might say to you if you questioned them!

If I was you though, I wouldnt let this go for a new Yaris.... they're just going to sell it on to someone else who's going to have the same problems..... its not something that can be brushed under the carpet....

[selfbuild]

they're just going to sell it on to someone else who's going to have the same problems..... its not something that can be brushed under the carpet.... 

The advantage to the new owner will be the full RAC check and a years warranty..... so if the dealership in question don't put it right then the new owners will hopefully be making alot of noise.....

[Blue84]

they're just going to sell it on to someone else who's going to have the same problems..... its not something that can be brushed under the carpet.... 

The advantage to the new owner will be the full RAC check and a years warranty..... so if the dealership in question don't put it right then the new owners will hopefully be making alot of noise.....

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Just like Nosh has? Surely the car will be too much of a liability to sell on?