What should I do about leaky seals on my car boot?

Q. The seals on my car boot let in rainwater. Any suggestions, short of a new seal?

MF, Lytham St Annes, Lancashire

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A. Over time, rubber seals (around the boot, doors and hatch) tend to harden, which makes them prone to leaks. They can also become porous and absorbed water can freeze and jam the doors shut. Replacement seals are expensive, so it pays to use a cleaning/protective product now and then.

Try Autoglym Vinyl and Rubber Care (£7.49, halfords.com) or spray some Holts Rubber and Nylon Lubricant (£5.69, motaman.co.uk) onto a cloth and apply. Both will seal the rubber surface and restore some suppleness. Use it on both seals: the one on the car and the one around the boot lid.

INSPECTOR GADGET
Dave Pollard has written several Haynes manuals and has tested just about every car-related accessory — read more from Dave here.

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