I am having difficulty changing the light bulbs on the rear number plate on my 2000 Octavia Estate. When attempting to push the light bulb into the fitting, the fitting goes back into the innards of the tail gate cavity. The fitting is too small to grip it with anything whilst pushing the bulb in. I suspect I might have to take the inside back cover of the tail gate to gat to the fittings. If so, does anyone know the best way of doing this. I have had a tentative attempt but it proves to be quite difficult and I am concerned I may snap the plastic cover or the snap on fittings which grip it.

Grateful for any guidance

Known as the 'disappearing light holder trick':)

Remove one screw. Loosen the other screw and move the lens so you can twist the first screw back in. Remove the other screw, take off the lens and put that screw back in. You can now change the bulb without fear of losing the holder.

Reverse the process to put the lens back on.

The back should just clip off, start at the bottom of the door and work up. Might be worth while changing the screws to stainless steel ones and use LED bulbs.

On mine the problem was that the bulbholder pushed out of the bezel, not that the bezel pushed up into the tailgate space! So I don't see how replaceing the lens screws would help.

As for removing and replacing the trim panel, it's pretty tough. I would advise getting a helper to support some of the weight for you unless you happen to be seven or eight feet tall.

On mine the problem was that the bulbholder pushed out of the bezel, not that the bezel pushed up into the tailgate space! So I don't see how replaceing the lens screws would help.

The originals screws tend to rust hence the reason to replace them with stainless steel.

I replaced both bulbs and lenses (come pre-fitted with screws) with new ones the other day. I think I must have been lucky with the bulb holders, as neither pushed through.

You can be more brutal than you think with the boot trim! Pop out the lower edge first, then the top edge near the screen needs to be pushed upwards, parallel to the screen. Once you pop the bottom off you can see up inside to figure out how it works.

Getting back on is a bit fiddly. Make sure all the clips are lined up before you try putting it on. I found sitting in the boot and doing it from the inside was easier.

But then again I did lock myself in the boot at the same time!!

The originals screws tend to rust hence the reason to replace them with stainless steel.

That was really more directed at Mr Baldwin, who seemed to think that removing the lens and replacing the screws would stop the vanishing bulbholder trick.

^ Sorry mate!

No problem; I assumed that it was obvious from context when I was talking about bulbholders and bezels.