Yeah same here, I totally used the credit card trick too - worked like a charm.

And I initially tried unsuccessfully to get a selection of credit cards in the gap. Eventually one went in a bit and I could feel resistance which suggested I had found the clip but then the card got stuck. I got it out in pieces.

 

This suggests there is some variability in the gap size between 2010 models and later models. Hence my documented approach through the wheel arch.

 

My handbook says to just pull on the trim panel and shows two drawings of how to do it!     No way.

2 minutes ago, pikpilot said:

And I initially tried unsuccessfully to get a selection of credit cards in the gap. Eventually one went in a bit and I could feel resistance which suggested I had found the clip but then the card got stuck. I got it out in pieces.

 

This suggests there is some variability in the gap size between 2010 models and later models. Hence my documented approach through the wheel arch.

 

My handbook says to just pull on the trim panel and shows two drawings of how to do it!     No way.

2009-2012 should be all the same? Mine is a 2009. Was it frozen? I can’t think of other reason that why it wouldn’t pop off. It’s not tightly fitted at all.

Oh its tight all right. The garage released the panel for me from underneath on a second occasion. It needed considerable force and blows to get the panel back in when I did it the next day.

This thread was really helpful, thanks all - here are some photos that may be useful to see where the clips are if you are determined to get the section of grill trim off...  Even once you have it off, you need quite small hands to get through the gap, so again maybe the butter knife option of removing the lamp unit directly is best...