Argghhh! See pic, quite a lot of water, as it 'appens, just starting to prep the car for it's annual mot, had to get the locking wheel nut key from the boot, good job I did! But it must have entered from underneath as mainly dry on top of spare wheel. Good job it's sunny the next few days to dry it out. btw, haven't been anywhere near flood water.

 

In many cases it's the rear light clusters that are to blame. The seal between the lights and the body perishes with age, and water runs down the inside of the boot collecting in the spare wheel well. That's why the top of the spare is mainly dry. There are a few other places that water can enter, e.g. the boot seal or where the rear suspension turrets have rusted through (hopefully not), but I'd start with the lights.

 

Thanks! That sounds very likely 👍 I've never had the rear light clusters off so certainly somewhere to investigate. 👍

 

Your going to need an 8mm deep-wall 1/4" drive socket to remove the light.

 

Thanks! Been concentrating my efforts on changing an.outer CV joint boot since...really out of my comfort zone. D'ya happen to know if I'll need new seals for the rear light clusters (if they even exist!)

 

The lights were originally sealed with sticky black butyl, and you can use a sealant when refitting. However, a much better, and far less messy, solution is to get these from ICP: icp subaru impreza gc saloon rear foam light seals. Make sure all the old butyl is removed from the lights and body. I used a heat gun.

 

Thanks, Nick! That's a really good tip👍