Nearside rear door issue, advice/help needed?

[davbat]

Hi All,
Having recently had my Sprint Mot'd, I thought I'd give her a run out this weekend... However I noticed that the rear near side door would not open from the outside and more alarmingly neither from the inside too...

Before this issue occurred, I was aware that the black locking button did not lock the rear door, it just gave the illusion the door was locked. The door could be opened from outside or inside with no problems...

Am I now faced with butchering my door panel to open the door or is there a more subtle way that I can get the door open and repair/replace the door linkage?

Is there a garage or professional person that can do this sort of thing?

Thanks Dave

[Edin Dundee]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRJqE_QzS8c might work...

[xvivalve]

Unscrew the two fixings which pass through the interior handle and remove the window winder. With the rear seat squab lifted, a good sharp tug on the handle will see the door card spring out.

Once you get the door open, it will require lubrication on the part of the lock/latch inside the door frame; there are two nibs which resemble a pair of scissors (sort of) that need to be able to slide against each other.

It should have failed the MoT on this!

[davbat]

Thanks Ed & Alan for your advice...

I am please to say I now have a 4 door Dolly, having opted to try Alan's way to resolve.

On removing the rear panel, the wood door trim did pop off but sufficient access was gained to open the door.



Once open, easy job to re-connect & lubricate door linkage.



Job done...



Not sure if the problem occurred prior to MOT, perhaps it's coincidental that it occurred during the journey home.

Cheers Dave