Water ingress into the footwells
Attaches to PQ25 at chassis level · Electrical · carried by 11 variants across 5 chassis
Overview
Water ingress into the footwells is a common fault recorded against PQ25 at chassis level, typically from 80–180k km. It shows up as damp carpets on one or both sides, misted windows that won't clear, and electrical faults that come and go with the weather. Where it's documented, the repair runs €120–€900 (clearing drains and drying out at the cheap end, replacing a soaked control unit at the dear end, costs dated 2026-07), and it can be checked before you buy. 11 variants across 5 chassis in this database inherit it.
What happens
Symptom. Damp carpets on one or both sides, misted windows that won't clear, and electrical faults that come and go with the weather.
Cause. The plenum drains under the windscreen scuttle block with leaves and debris, and the water then finds its way past the bulkhead seals. Once it reaches the wiring and control units under the carpet the faults look far more serious than the cause.
How to check it
Static checks
Lift the carpets in both footwells and press down hard with your hand, then smell the cabin. Damp underlay on a dry day tells you the drains have been blocked for a while.
Engine off, ideally on a lift.
Every variant that carries this
| Variant | Chassis | Body | Years | Risk | Good buy | Cost as % of good buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2 TSI CBZB | 6R | hatchback | 2010–2014 | R4 | €5,500 | 9% |
| 1.2 12V CGPA | 6R | hatchback | 2009–2014 | R2 | €4,400 | 12% |
| 1.6 TDI CAYC | 6R | hatchback | 2009–2014 | R3 | €5,200 | 10% |
| 1.2 TSI CBZB | 5J | hatchback | 2010–2014 | R4 | €4,800 | 11% |
| 1.2 TSI CBZB | 5J Combi | wagon | 2010–2014 | R4 | €5,050 | 10% |
| 1.2 12V CGPA | 5J | hatchback | 2007–2014 | R2 | €3,400 | 15% |
| 1.2 12V CGPA | 5J Combi | wagon | 2008–2014 | R2 | €3,600 | 14% |
| 1.2 TSI CBZB | 6J | hatchback | 2010–2015 | R4 | €4,400 | 12% |
| 1.2 TSI CBZB | 6J ST | wagon | 2010–2015 | R4 | €4,600 | 11% |
| 1.6 TDI CAYC | 6J | hatchback | 2009–2015 | R3 | €4,200 | 12% |
| 1.6 TDI CAYC | 6J ST | wagon | 2010–2015 | R3 | €4,400 | 12% |
The last column is the point. The same repair is an inconvenience on one variant and a reason to scrap the car on another. A failure costing a quarter of the vehicle's value changes the purchase decision regardless of how rare it is.