Peugeot 307 door won't open from outside

[Noggin-the-Nog]

My Peugeot 307 passenger door won't open from outside. I can open it fom the inside ok to let the passenger in but it's going for mot and I fear it might fail for that reason. The guy at the test centre is certain to try to open that door when he comes to checking the seatbelts. If I open it for him he's sure to smell a rat. Any ideas?

[Andyvon]

Unless the test has changed drastically it shouldn't affect the MoT if it stays shut. Sharp edges such as rusty or damaged panels or trim are a failure, but not a dorr that won't open.

Your car's door latch has obviously gone slightly out of adjustment or the mechanism has moved or detached. If you remove the interior door trim and operate the latch the fault should be obvious.

[Wak]

Does this car have a child-proof lock fitted on the passenger door which you have never had to use?
Just a thought!

[Hopkirk]

My sister in laws car failed on that very point.

The doors must be openable from the outside, in case of an accident.

[AlBags]

Doors must open.

Remove passenger door trim .. look inside at mechanism to see if latch rod has popped off. You might need to replace handle and/or clip.

[JonnyBoy12]

I would open the door for him whilst complimenting him on something. That way he should not notice it.

Hope this helps.

[AlBags]

It won't.

He'll be lucky if he can be by the car!

[SpikeyBush]

The missus had the same issue with the drivers door on her Fiesta (I told her not to buy it without me looking at it first, was away on business at the time, got home and there it was on the drive. Been nowt but bother since). A spring in the door catch mechanism had snapped in half, couldn't find a suitable spring in my bit-box to fit the bill so had to get a complete mechanism from the scrapyard. Was only £15 though.
Oh, and apparently it was my fault.

[Noggin-the-Nog]

Thanks everyone. I dithered right up to the day before the test, took cold feet and brought it to a mechanic who fixed it for a tenner (I had envisaged a whole new door). I had forgotten that one side of the folding rear seats doesn't click shut. Sure enough the MOT guy spotted the problem, said he would have to fail it, but took a screwdriver to it himself and fixed it. Decent bloke!
Thanks for your advice everyone.