300 TDI water ingress - what are those holes for?

So I've been experiencing some water leaking into my 300 TDI from behind the dashboard during heavy rainfall, dribbling onto the clutch pedal and into the footwell. When looking for the potential source of it I came across some gaps under the windscreen near the door that I fixed, but there is still water leaking in.

I also came across these holes beside the bonnet hinges, one on each side. What are they for, and are they always there? Could they be the source of the water ingress?

I believe there should be rubber bonnet buffer inserted in there ??

As above, put them in with a little sealer.

marksman said:

I believe there should be rubber bonnet buffer inserted in there ??

Click to expand...

So the bonnet doesn't scrape when fully flipped up? Either way, seems like they are not supposed to be open. I'll fill them up so. Is there a Part number for a buffer, or will I have to improvise with some rubber or sealant?

Thank you!

Yes, rubber buffers - beware the Britpart variety, they are made from 2% rubber and 98% boiled sweet.
https://m12offroad.co.uk/product/defender-90-110-series-2-3-bonnet-rubber-buffers-pack-of-2-332647/

These look 'rubbery' ... https://www.pegasusparts.co.uk/ours...7-Buffer-Bonnet-Hood-to-Dash-or-Bulkhead.html

Gaps should be filled with ATV sealant, small cracks can be 'cured' with Captain Tolleys Creeping Crack Cure ....
https://www.marinesuperstore.com/se...aulking/captain-trolley-s-creeping-crack-cure

Same issue here. Replacing with: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/292150574874 (and also got a tube of Captain Tolleys Creeping Crack Cure on order)

So I did the watering can test last night, and definitely had a driver side front vent leak…. Then even with heavy rain overnight and driving in the rain this morning, the driver side was still reasonably dry. Lesson here. I need to do more testing for leaks in the rain.