How to Open Bonnet / Hood Skoda Octavia (Non Broken)

[@MrGman2804]

If anyone has an earlier model, (second gen) and the lever from inside the car works, and the bonnet pops up but when you pull on the plastic lever to the left of the bonnet, it will not release.... here is what to do. Get a torch so you can see what you are doing, and you will see the plastic level in turn pushes a metal catch to the left. This catch has a spring on it. In my case, pulling up on the plastic catch did not create enough clearance to open the bonnet. So I got a very long screwdriver, probably 10 inches, and manually pushed the catch to the same direction that the plastic lever did, but far enough to actually open it. Easy. It took seconds. Once open, I was reminded of the dire design. I cleaned it all with a toothbrush and WD40, and this meant the plastic lever then only just created enough clearance to open it. Overall I am pleased with my Skoda, but that is one of the poorest bonnet openers, if not THE worst one ever in 43 years of motoring. I would go and check yours now to avoid getting caught out one dark night when you have no torch and no 10 inch screwdriver. I can not be alone in having this problem!

[@PlusWE1]

What if this hand is broken, is there any other way?

[@MrGman2804]

I have so much trouble with this. Once I deploy the lever inside the car, (which often falls off) I would say 80% of the time pulling on the lever under the bonnet does not move the catch enough to actually open the bonnet. The neighbours must think I am stupid. Mine is a 2011 car and now I cant open the bonnet. I am really annoyed. I think I may need a screwdriver to push the catch. Of all the cars I have had in 40 years, it is the most rubbishy bonnet release ever! Grrrrrr.