The bonnet release lever on my 2007 vRS came off in my hand the other day and won't go back on again - very annoying and from poking around online, it seems it's not an uncommon fault. Consequently I can't open my bonnet at the moment, which is a major pain as I need to add oil.

 

From what I can tell, the actual lever and the attachment into which it fits have both broken:

 

 

 

It looks like the central part has sheared off so whereas I can replace the lever, it doesn't look like the part onto which the lever sits is actually replaceable...? 

 

Is that correct? Or am I misreading things here?

 

Thanks

You need a new lever mechanism that goes behind the trim. Pretty easy to change, just take the lower A pillar trim off, two screws and the cable unhooks.

 

They usually snap when the bonnet catch hasn't been serviced for a while and seizes up.

30 minutes ago, Tech1e said:

You need a new lever mechanism that goes behind the trim. Pretty easy to change, just take the lower A pillar trim off, two screws and the cable unhooks.

 

They usually snap when the bonnet catch hasn't been serviced for a while and seizes up.

 

Great, thanks Tech1e. 

 

In terms of part number, I can see the lever is 1J2823533C but not sure about the mechanism? eBay search shows it might be 1J2823633?

 

 

That will do the job

Oh and is it possible to open the bonnet some other way in the mean time?

Remove that lever and pull directly on the cable. 

Don't you just love the VW LEGO technology? All made of plastic.

Remember the days when things were made of metal?

It only pulls on a thin cable, not a tow rope. It works fine as long as the catch is kept lubricated. Plus there is a tendency to pull it sideways as well as outwards.