Followed sharky09's instructions and managed to find the spring loaded locking pieces hidden away behind the side panels. Put them back in place and works good as new.

This was super helpful and has saved me a few quid. Definitely super fiddly and those plastic pins with the central pin you have to pull out have taken a beating, but still do the job. I couldn't work out how to secure it with a cable tie, but at least I know that if it happens again, I will know exactly what to do to sort it.

Thank you so much. I feel super proud of myself today for having done this.

Hi All, just joined this website and have already posted a hello. Anyway I have just purchased a 2011 Fabia Estate SE TSI and can't lock the retractable boot cover lid into place, the clip on the passenger side has either broken or dropped down, I have read all the previous posts in this topic but have an additional 2 questions please, apologies if I have missed the answer in the last few posts! Is the clip part number the same for both sides? and secondly and more importantly where can I get these from at a decent (cheap) price should the part be broken and not just dropped down. Cheers

Hi - yes the clip number is the same for both sides. I got mine from the EU and it cost me EUR20 in all for 2. I didn't need them in the end as it had just fallen down, so now I have 2 for backup! I got them from skoda-parts.com

Hi Viejita, thanks for your reply, just had a look on skoda-parts so know where to look if I have to buy. Just need to think if it's worth all the effort taking the other parts off just to fix one item. AM always careful when working on a car but being 'older' parts go brittle and the next thing you know you have broken another piece fixing something simple!

@Catwoman I did this repair on my MkII Fabia. If you follow Alex's guide in his blog it's a doddle. (There was a printable version but I can no longer find that so scroll down his blog to March 14th 2014)
https://aalopes.com/blog/
The load cover also prevents prying eyes looking what you've got in the boot so worth the time and effort IMO (about 30 - 45 minutes).
And always remember to push the rear down to retract it. It's instinctive to pull it I know but I think this is what causes the catches to detach.
FWIW mine had also fallen down so I never had to order a new pair.

Edited 7 February7 Feb by Lee01

Hi Catwoman. Mine is a 2009....so older than yours. The pins with the bit in the middle took a bit of a beating as hard to get out. But I didn't find brittleness a problem.

Hi thanks for the last 2 replies to my question, it's dry here today (not sure how long for) so will venture outside with a print out of how to access the rear side panel and see if the clip has simply dropped down or broken...

Lee01, just looked at your blog thanks for the added info and pictures 👍

Hi all just to say job done 👍the piece wasn't broken it had just fallen down, in < an hour it was found and refitted! Thanks for advice