Golf Mk7 leak in boot lid/tailgate fix 

Done. Very fiddly lining up the all 10 clips and the side trims we tricky too. My grommet on the bottom of the plastic pipe had perished and the end of the pipe was actually inside the tailgate - hence the ingress. The pipe wasn't blocked. Cut the new pipe with about 2mm slack, pushed the grommet in nicely and a tiny cable tie just gently on the plastic drain elbow, drains perfectly now. Rear tail light cluster foam gaskets were ok, water tested those....easy stuff if those gaskets start leaking, and no need to remove anything other than those pop out flaps that allow you to change the bulbs but the gaskets are ok for now. The pipe I fitted is now rubber, and has a much more substantial lip moulded into the bottom of it. It's not even really a grommet anymore, more like a fluted design with a meatier lip on it. Total cost...£6.54....I work for VW lol

The little grommet attached to that tube on my Mk7 went missing a few months ago. The dealership replaced it with a rubber stopper that turned out to be solid and not connected to the tube at all. Since then, I suspect my hatch has been slowly filling up with water. Today, it all came rushing out when I opened the hatch. Your video explains what has happened perfectly. Hopefully the dealer will do a proper replacement when I have it in for service. In the mean time, I've installed a straw that connects to the tube and extends past the edge of the hatch. Hopefully this will allow for sufficient drainage until the dealer can fix it properly.

For anybody new with this problem, booked mine in today and I've been told it is covered by the original manufacturer warranty if you still have some left.

Thanks for video Paul - Great to spot what looks like a common problem!!! (and fix), Mine is same as yours. I suspect dozens of these cars will now be leaking but unless anybody looks in the boot they will have no idea until it rusts, and floor falls out!!! Such a pity for a great car to be let down by such a tiny design failure. Also the many cars driving round with wet boots will start to stink.

Hi. Thanks for this - it really helped sort out the problem with our Golf7. It’s a low mileage 2014 car that we bought last August and we didn’t realise there was a problem until the back seat was wet to sit on. It’s obviously been leaking into the boot for years as the tools/jack are rusty, the carpet soaked and the rear seat is mouldy and like a fully wet sponge. Speaking to the dealer we bought it from to replace the rear seat as it’s probably beyond hope. Thanks again - I really appreciate the help with this.

Apparently there is 2 vents behind the back bumper that can also cause water to accumulate in the boot about 40 euro to replace them excluding labour.

Mine was fixed this week by VW under warranty, no problems. Grommet was missing and water ran out of the back of the tail lights when you opened the hatch.

Thanks for the video. I have a used 2017 GTI with the same problem, and I always wonder about that hole. Good to know that there should be a grommet there. Hopefully it will be covered under warranty.

I have had this problem also and it was the Trim Flaps around the light enclosures.

Interesting - I have the same issue but for me, the pipe is completely missing. The grommet is still there though... So that would explain why my tailgate lights have all corroded and stopped working. VW take no responsibility for it. Ideal!

I’m just about to try fix mine, remember there’s 4x torx screws to take out before you yank the main bit off! I’m going to see if it’s possible to fix by just partially taking the trim off , rather than the plastic round the window etc.

Thankyou for this. This is exactly what's going on with my car.

At least yours hasnt rusted, mine has got few small rust bubbles around that hole.

Same problem on 2018 Alltrack, in Canada.

My turn today! Did this totally fix yours, or was there also water getting in through the boot tail lights gaskets?

Thanks for the info. Very informative. Fingers crossed I’ll be able to sort mine. What is the code for the part or would it be a generic code for all vw golf’s. Apologies I’m not too technical minded myself

Main dealer where I live quoted me a price of approx 700 euro to troubleshoot where the water is getting in. Parts excluding labour only comes to less than 50 euro. Thought he was taking the p#ss.

thanks for sharing! great comments

Hi, I found the part number that someone posted on a forum for the part it is 510-827-861 This is a VW part and cost £4:70. I am about to fit mine and hopefully mine is the same problem fingers crossed. Thanks for the video!

Well done, thanks for doing this.

I got a Mk6. I have removed the trunk panel. It was a hard job to get that removed. Now I shall put the panel in place again. In what order did you mount it? Did you start with the inner left and right, against the window or did you started with the clips in front. I have tried to start with the inner left and right corner, but I can’t get it pressed into the slot. Do you have some advice how to start mount it back again?

Thanks Paul, I've been trying to work out where the water has come from and can see that my problem is the same as yours. Can I ask where the other end of the tube connects to?

What is part called mate searched vw parts and nothing comes up,want to fix myself cos I know VW will charge a daft amount

Where the part that shows where the pipe connects

Questionable design. Should really have lasted the car’s life. Not as if it has a hard job! Think vw sometimes go over the top with fasteners/clips!

Paul, where did the water ended in yout trunk? I found water below the spare tyre, really soaked. Thought it was a replaced brake light but I took if off and it seems ok.

Hello Paul, I'm getting water all the way into the spare tire well. Did the water you were getting go that far? I can't tell if it's a leak here or the sunroof drains. Any advice? Thanks!

I’m getting this problem but I have the rubber grommet and checked the pipe and it’s fine so unsure why it’s still happening it’s so annoying

Hi! The local VW dealer changed this tube yestetday but still have water(after car wash). No idea! Maybe the gasket of the boot lights?

Hi, Just wondering what the tube is called as I need to buy one too. Also where did you purchase yours from. I am based in the UK aswell.

Hi, I’ve got same problem and I want to change the tube but I can’t find , any chance to give me any link ? Many thanks

I Don't understand. Where is the pipe going? What is it's job?

Hello Paul. Can this drain tube be a problem with Tiguan leaking in boot.

hi paul do you have to disconnect the lights to pull the plastic off?

I cant find part online in UK, would you have a link to a supplier?

Douse anyone have a link to the part can’t seem to find it 😪