1998 Renault Clio Grande review from UK and Ireland

Leaks from sunroof.

To add to the many other user reviews, I think I have solved this problem. And you DON'T need to spend £600 on a new roof.

Take out the glass panel, then:

Firstly, make sure the drain holes at the front of each side gutter are clear. Pour water there and check it runs out of the wheel arch. If not, clear with flexible wire. This is UNLIKELY, however, to be the problem.

Remove the rubber seal making sure you know which way round it refits. Give it a good clean with white spirit and then condition it with rubber lubricant or Armorall. Give the black plastic frame (many surfaces) a good clean with white spirit, especially the gutters. Again, though, this is UNLIKELY to be the problem.

Standing on the door steps (unless you are a 7 foot giant) press down on the sides of the black plastic frame and you will see that it flexes a little. You will notice there is a bead of manufacturer's sealant there along its length. THIS IS WHERE THE WATER GETS IN! It then creeps out into the headlining and can run into the remote sensor and other places, fooling you and driving you mad.

Make sure this area is scrupulously clean (more white spirit if necessary) and then seal with a carefully placed extra bead of high quality silicon sealant (I used Loctite 595 which is sold as a windscreen sealer). Two applications may be necessary-cut the nozzle to a fine aperture and press on the frame flexing it as you seal. Use a wetted little finger to do a neat job.

Leave for an hour, then put back the rubber seal. Some non-setting seal round the frame where the seal fits on won't do any harm, but is not strictly necessary.

Ignore users' comments about drainage under the bonnet etc. - unless you can find evidence of wetness under the dashboard, that's not the problem. IT IS THE SUNROOF.

And for your next car don't buy one with a sunroof! Who wants this anguish?

OK.