Octaplussy?

I purchased a Skoda Octavia 1.4 TSI DSG in October 09. Performance is surprisingly good for such a small engine and economy 39-40 mpg. What bothers me is that, after the car has been left out in the rain, a substantial amount of water pours out from inside all four doors through the drain holes. It is like a tap being turned on. It does not escape until the doors are opened so if the car is not used for a few wet days there will be so much water that I fear the inside of the car will get wet and electrics in the door will be ruined. My garage tells me that this is "not a problem". I phoned Skoda and they said it was designed to do this and when asked said that all their models do this. I have owned many cars from a 1932 Morris to a Bentley and I have never known the inside of the doors to get wet like this. It worries me and I wonder if I should return the car as not fit for purpose. Can you put my mind at rest?

Asked on 12 March 2010 by M.D., Southampton

Answered by Honest John
They are designed for water to flow freely down through the doors because there is no effective way of completely sealing the glass at the waist level windowsills without taping them up. However, when a car is new, the wax treatment inside the doors can partially block the drains so it is wise to poke them through gently with a wooden stick (kebab stick, cocktail stick or toothpick) that won't damage the paint.
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