So, if you have found your way here, the likelihood is your boot latch in knackered on your Focus! Mine just went all of a sudden. No warning signs, nothing getting progressively worse. Just bang, the boot is knackered. It was difficult open, and if I did get it open, it was difficult to close.

But with some basic tools and the replacement part, I was able to do the work myself and save a trip to the garage.

What You’ll Need

Before we dive in, here’s what you’ll need:

• New Boot Latch: Ensure you get the correct part for the car. Local auto parts stores or online retailers usually have what you need. I picked mine up off eBay for about £12. You can get it off Ford but is pricey. Here is a link to the Official Ford Part.

• Tools: A drill with various bits was the main thing I needed. A phillips drill bit and some Torx Bits (Not 100% sure of the size). A tool for popping the interior panel off is handy too - Something plastic to avoid damaging it.

Let’s Get Started

Step 1: Open Up the Boot

Open the boot if you can get it open! If not, you might need to access it from the back seats or through an interior panel.

Step 2: Remove the interior panel

There is a couple of steps to this.

1. Pop the facias off the two handles.
2. Under each facia, you will find two screws - Unscrew these and keep them somewhere safe.

3. You are now in a position where you can start popping the rear panel off. It is connected in a bunch of different places, so work your way around the edge with a plastic tool, prizing it off. Once you can get your fingers under it, I found it was quite easy to pull it off.

Step 3: Disconnect the Wiring

Once the interior panel is of, you can see the latch clearly. Near the top you will be able to spot the wiring connected to the latch. It’s usually a simple clip or connector. Disconnect this carefully.

Step 4: Unscrew the Old Latch

The latch is attached to the chasis using 3 Torx bolts. I used the drill to remove these with ease. Again, place these somewhere safe as you will need them again in a minute.

Step 5: Remove the old latch and replace with the new one

Now you should be able to can remove the old latch and lash it in the bin. Place the new latch in the exact same position and screw in the Torx bolts removed in the previous step.

Step 6: Reconnect the Wiring

Reconnect the wiring to the new latch. It should click into place easily.

Step 7: Test the New Latch

Before we put everything back together, I would suggest giving the boot latch a test run. Open and close the boot a few times to make sure it’s working as expected.

Step 8: Reassemble the Interior Panel

Replace the interior panel in the exact opposite way you took it off. Push it back against the chasis so it clips on everywhere it is supposed to. Once you have done that, you can put the 4 screws that live under the handles back in. Once this is done the interior panel should feel solid and sturdy. Clip the handle facias back on and that should be that.

And thats that! You’ve successfully changed the latch on your MK3 Ford Focus.

If you are not confident with DIY, I would still encourage you to give it a go. I am in the early stages of messing with cars and I found this a really straight-forward task that requires no specialist tools.