How much does it cost to repair a car water leak?

Water can be extremely damaging to your car if it gets in the wrong places. If water is leaking into your car from a sunroof or door seal, it's important to get it fixed as soon as possible to avoid further damage.

How much does it cost to repair a car water leak?

Repairing a water leak on your car can cost between £40 and £350+, depending on the cause of the leak and the type of car it is.

In some cases, a leak is caused by a misfitted seal or one that has come loose. It’s worth checking this yourself before taking the car to a garage, but if you did, it shouldn’t cost more than £40-50 for the mechanic to refit the seal.

It’s also quite common for seals to perish and split over time. If this is the case, the seal will need to be replaced entirely. These can range in price, typically costing between £50-100 for a door or boot seal. Don’t forget to factor in labour costs if you're getting a garage to fit it.

Sunroofs are a common source of water leaks, either due to perished or damaged seals, or a mechanism that is no longer closing the roof properly. Repairing a leaking sunroof can cost anywhere from £40 for a new seal to £200+ if the mechanism needs to be replaced or repaired.

You can use Bumper's car repair finance to help with large repair bills, with zero-interest financing.

What are some common causes of car water leaks?

Any place that opens, such as a door or window, can be a source for water leaks, but these are some common places to check first:

• Sunroofs

• Boot seals

• Door seals

• Rear light clusters

Symptoms of a car water leak

It’s not always immediately obvious that you have a water leak, but noticing one or more of the following common symptoms should necessitate having a look for the source of the leak.

• Damp carpets or upholstery

• Fogging windows in the cold

• Musty or mouldy smell present

• Mould appearing on soft materials, or driving controls

• In some cases, electrical issues can crop up too

Is a car water leak a big problem?

Issues resulting from a water leak can range from some damp carpets to incredibly expensive electrical repairs, depending on the car and the source of the leak.

At the least, an ongoing water leak is likely to cause a musty smell, and issues with the windscreen fogging up in cold weather.

If left for a long period of time, mould can easily begin to form in waterlogged carpets and upholstery. This is usually fairly easy to clean off, but in some cases can mark fabrics. Not to mention the health issues!

In certain cars, the consequences can be much more severe, especially if the car’s ECU or wiring is located anywhere the water is leaking or running, repairs can run to thousands of pounds. Even a corroded earth connection can cause a multitude of problems.

Let Bumper Assist with Car Repair Costs

If you are expecting a big car repair bill, Bumper’s car repair loans can help. Available through hundreds of pre-approved garages across the country, it can help spread repair payments into manageable chunks.

Author - Joseph Law

Joseph has been writing about cars for over eight years and writing for Bumper for over three, blending his passion for automobiles with a talent for storytelling.

Joseph has written about engineering and cars for Autozilla, Komaspec, and several engineering manufacturers. When he's not writing or tinkering with one of his cars, Joseph dreams of owning an Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale.