The water leaks into my boot and the left or passenger side inside the car leaving huge puddles of water inside. very unpleasant. also the 2007 MX5 convertable - no leaks in roof or rubbers. help please.

• If water is getting in from the driver's or passenger's window near the soft top weather-strip, shut the door after closing the window. When putting up the hood, lower the windows while you secure the hood latches & then raise the windows. These actions force the window to contact the weather-strip a bit differently than when the window is closed while the door is closed.
• There are two common places an MX5 will leak water into the interior - where the top meets the windshield frame- and around the windows where they contact the mouldings. Leaks at the windshield frame are usually caused by dirty or damaged mouldings or the latches not being tight enough. Usually you will notice the top will squeak and rattle if it isn't latched down tight.
• Wetness in the trunk/boot can be caused by a range of factors. 1. Dried out weather-stripping around the trunk. 2. A cracked rain rail on the convertible top. 3. Dried out weather-stripping around the tail lights.
• There are three mouldings that fit around the window, and water can leak either between them and the window, or between them and the top. Each of these mouldings is attached to a metal 'track' that is secured to the top frame with two screws. The window moulding that is closest to the windshield header is held on by two screws, the others have nothing holding them.
• Water can collect in the weather-strips due to small crack or splits along the edge of the hood where it folds after a years of regular top-up top-down use. The only real solution is a new hood.

I had the same problem last year. I found that it was caused by blocked drain vents behind the fascia immediately behind the seats beneath where the soft top retracts. Leaf debris clogged up the vents. To remedy the problem I had to purchase some redesigned vent tubes and foam filters and install them myself. This eliminated the problem and gradually over the past year the odour from the dampness under the carpet has reduced considerably. Best of all - no more swimming pool under the driver and passenger seat every time it rains!