Estate Tailgate issues...

Had some issues with my Octavia 2 Estate tailgate,,,,,,sometimes it would not lock, other times it opened when I unlocked the car or started the engine. All most annoying. Also sometimes difficult to open manually.

Had a look at the mechanism, removed door. Removed trim and removed lock. Greased it. Removed door release and sprayed with water repellent and contact cleaner.

Then looked at how lock works.......and solenoid / release is not in door but in lower rear panel. Removed trim and solenoid to unlock door operates via a lever......and pivot was "dry", so stiff. Lubricated pivot point and lever moved much more freely.

Re-assembled and to date all working fine.

In short......check actuating lever pivot first as easiest to access......rear door trim was a pig to replace!

Hope this is of help.