I'm wondering if anyone can help me,

The rear driver-side door on my Octy will not open. The lock seems to have failed and it's deadlocked shut. A local mechanic was unable to help but did advise me that the car will fail its MOT (due November) if not fixed.

My only solution seems to be to break open the inner door panel and prise the lock open. I guess I might be able to reattach the inner panel Blue Peter style once the lock's fixed/replaced.

Anyone able to offer better advice?

Cheers,

M.

This is a common problem and covered by many threads. Usual cause is failed or seized lock motors. Some report wiring problem. Others have un-dedlocked by thumping the door while pressing the open button on the remote.

In my case I found pressing the remote button twice in quick succession would unlock the door. I took off the door trim and copiously sprayed the lock mechanism in the door and the external parts of the lock with a VW spray lubricant. No problems since I did it in the Spring.

Hardest bit was pulling off the outer part of the door handle to get to the fixing screws inside the door handle..

Use Google to search the Briskoda Octavia 1 threads.

Click Here for one example.

Disconnect your battery and try manually open the door