We have an Octavia Estate 2000 (W), getting on a bit, but we are only the second owners, it's very clean and lowish mileage (109,000).

I love it (it's chipped, and when asked goes like stink!), it's easily the best car I've ever owned, and probably one of the best I've ever driven. Which is quite a few because I used to drive for Esso Research on fuel testing.

Right now I'm looking for a solution to a locked and un-unlockable tailgate. I don't think it's to do with the central locking which although going haywire occasionally, I've successfully re-programmed and seems to work fine. Except on the boot. With the key I can't turn completely anti-clockwise, and I have shot WD40 into the lock!

From inside the car there is no access of any kind to the lock, no emergency safety procedure as suggested on the blog. I've read all the postings re this problem, but am baffled as to how I remove the trim panel for access to the lock, from inside. On the floor of the boot to the rear, the lip of the opening has plastic trim with 6 phillips screws. Do I try to remove this? Lower down at the rear of the spare wheel chamber there are 2 circular rubber grommets. Are these anything to do with it?

Any ideas?

Hi and welcome aboard.

Moved the thread to the octavia 1 forum, where it should get a better response for the issue/s.

Welcome (from another SW'er)

you need to get into the boot, take the rear tailgate trim off, and you should be able to get access to the lock mechanism from the inside.

If the lock won't turn try spraying some plusgas (or equiv) into the lock/around the edges and gently wiggling the lock clockwise/anti-clockwise.

The lock can get a lot of dirt in it and jam up if not used every so often.... I know this from personal experience, although I am guessing there is something else amiss with your lock. The emergency procedure you have read about is for the hatch only - certainly I don't have that option on my 2001 estate.

From inside the boot you could be able to just pull off the plastic large lower section of trim straight into the boot (keeping it parallel to the ground when pulling).