condensation build up...

[janzman]

...I recently bought a VW polo...less than two years old... and I was dismayed to see how much condensation was always buiding up on the insides of the windows,especially the rear one.I put this down tt the extreme cold of the last few weeks.
Today I came out of work at four pm and noticed the rear light clusters were completely condensed over on the inside.Today the temperature is about 9c .I lifted the carpet in the luggage area and the whole of the spare wheel well and surrounding area is dripping wet.
Can anyone offer any explanation as to why this should be.

[Rowland2094]

Condensation inside a car and on the windows etc., is usually due to the car having a leak, the water gets in and when the car warms up the water vapour condenses on the windows which are colder. Try an find the leak - your garage may have come across this before, certain models have problems. You have a leak in the back lifting door on in the base of the boot where road water is splashing up and in. Dry out the mat and find the leak- before you satrt to get rust problems

[janzman]

Thanx rowland...a needle in a haystack...comes to mind :-(

[rnchugg]

hi I have had this similar problems with a few cars. Firstly strip out as much of the area interior as you can, then get someone to sit /lie in that area and sprinkle the car with a hose, in various strengths, (light sprinkle to presurre on). if you can also leave a piece of newspaper as this picks up eater well. It might be the rear light surround "gaskets" or a seal that has gone. Let us all know how you get on. R

[AlBags]

Common problem:
Tailgate seal misplaced/leaking/door incorrectly fitting.
Water leaking past rear lamp seals ... Check/replace/tighten
Drain bung in wheel well come out.
More likely the first one.

[janzman]

Thanks all for your help. It looks a potentially bigger problem than I thought. As the car is less than 2 years old Ill let VW sort it out under Manufaturer Warrenty.

[Rowland2094]

Even if done under warranty make sure you carefully check that it actually has been done. Quite a few manufacturers have made cars which leak and they don't admit it. The dealer will tell you its fixed when they may have changed a seal but not really found the problem. Sorry to sound miserable but if you don't get it cured it can start early rust problems (which the maker will not remedy) Good Luck!