Symptoms drivers describe
- Damp, musty smell for the first minute of running
- Smell strongest on recirculate
- Misting windows or damp carpets
- Weak airflow alongside the smell
Possible causes
- Bacteria and mould on a damp evaporator
- A blocked condensate drain
- A dirty or saturated pollen filter
- Leaves and debris in the intake or scuttle area
What you can do
- Run the air conditioning regularly rather than leaving it unused
- Switch to fresh air for the last few minutes of a journey
- Mention any damp carpets when you book in
How we check it in the workshop
We check the pollen filter, drain and intake, inspect for damp ingress, and treat the system where the cause is bacterial rather than a leak.
Is it safe to keep driving?
Not a safety issue, but damp inside a car causes misting and can get worse if a drain is blocked.