Drivers urged to 'check windows and doors' or run risk of £900 bill

Drivers have been urged to check their windows and doors on their car - or risk repair bills of £225 before the end of autumn. The need to ensure your seals are fixed and proper as the weather begins to deteriorate is crucial before Christmas.

Steve Noga, a caravan and motorhome expert at Auto Finance, explained: "The seals around your windows and fixtures are flexible to withstand vehicle movement. However, this means that after a while they can start to deteriorate, exposing your vehicle to the weather.

"Resealing your fixtures isn’t as difficult as it sounds. Silicone caulk is affordable, usually available in tubes, and will dry quickly. Just ensure the area is clean and dry so it adheres properly, and run a line around the frame of the window or fixture, using your finger whilst wearing rubber gloves to smooth it out."

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He added: "Insulating your windows doesn’t have to be expensive. One of the most popular and versatile methods is using foil insulation. This tends to come in rolls and can be easily cut to the size of your windows. Shrink film kits are also inexpensive and a great way to insulate your windows."

Replacing seals with manufacturer's specification parts, can lead to repair bills of up to £225 - which for four windows in a five-door car could work out at £900. According to Auto Finance. To assess the condition of the components, inspect them. Cracking, chipping, loss of elasticity of the material are the symptoms of the need to replace the components.

You should also check whether the component are fastened reliably, and make sure the clips are in good order. Then try opening and closing the window several times: serviceable seals should not impede the free movement of the glass.

In some cases, a detached seal may be fixed with a special compound after cleaning the adhering surfaces. However, if the component itself is worn, it is to be replaced. Unassisted installation of a new rubber window seal is simple. To do this, carefully pry it off its seat. If the component is attached to the car body with glue or sealant, cut the old seal with a stationery knife, and thoroughly clean mud from the place of installation. Then install a new component, clearly following the instructions on its packaging.