I've got a 2016 Ghibli and the AC has developed a really unpleasant smell, like mildew or wet socks. It happens every time I first start the car, and it lasts for a few minutes before fading. The AC still blows cold, but the smell is embarrassing when I have passengers. I've already changed the cabin air filter twice, and it helped for about a week but then the smell came back. I've read online that this is often caused by moisture buildup on the evaporator core leading to mold or bacteria. Some people recommend using a foam cleaner sprayed into the HVAC drains, but I'm nervous about doing it myself on an Italian car. A friend recommended a maserati air conditioning repair sharjah shop that specializes in European cars and does evaporator cleaning. Has anyone here dealt with a musty AC smell on a Maserati or similar luxury car? Did an evaporator cleaning fix it permanently, or did you need something more like a UV light treatment? I'm also wondering if there might be a clogged drain tube causing water to pool. The car has 55k kilometers on it. If you know a good AC specialist in Sharjah for Maseratis, please share. Thanks in advance.

Mildew smell on first startup that fades after a few minutes is classic evaporator mold buildup. Changing the cabin filter helps temporarily but does not address the bacteria growing on the evaporator surface itself.

Clogged evaporator drain tube causing water to pool is extremely common on Maseratis and often the root cause of persistent mold smell. Clearing the drain and cleaning the evaporator together usually solves it permanently.

Foam evaporator cleaner through the intake works on simpler cars but Italian HVAC systems have specific access points. A specialist who knows the Ghibli will clean it properly without risking damage to the blend door actuators or sensors nearby.

UV light treatment after an evaporator clean is worth doing on a 55k car you plan to keep. It kills remaining bacteria and significantly slows the regrowth that makes the smell return within weeks of a basic cleaning.

Two cabin filter changes helping for only a week each time confirms the evaporator surface is the source. A proper clean with drain tube inspection from someone familiar with these European systems will fix it properly rather than masking it temporarily.