I wonder if something has fallen into the buckle catch, If you can't see anything with a torch, it might be worth trying a powerful hoover to see if something comes out. If it (the hoover) had a new bag fitted and it did work you would be able to see what it was inside the hoover bag (if it uses one)

 

Thanks, Hood, not a bad shout. Failing that, it'll be a trim-off and investigate.

If anyone has any workshop manuals featuring an exploded diagram of the B pillar internal trims, I'm be most grateful for a pic. Alternatively, would anyone be able to recomend a decent/resonably priced place I can download said info?

Cheers, folks.

 

If anyone has any workshop manuals featuring an exploded diagram of the B pillar internal trims

pillar trim Yeti (YET) 2015 year Skoda EUROPA 867065

pillar trim Yeti (YET) 2015 year Skoda EUROPA 867065 spare parts

skoda.7zap.com

 

Cheers, Urell, that's really useful. I'm predicting a lot of broken clips...

 

Has the belt twisted?

 

It doesn't seem to be as far as I can tell externally.

 

So, after managing to incrementally release it (much gentle incremental easing, locking, backing off the catch, easing, locking etc) to the point where I'd spooled out enough belt to buckle the belt on the seat, I continued to play out the belt until it was at the max. I let the belt retract in several times, playing it out fully again, which it did without hitch. I unbuckled the belt and let it fully retract and was surprised to see it return to normal.

So, either there was some debris, which the above process cleared, or the mechanism has decided to work, with the potential to go wrong again. Hopefully the former.

If I do end up replacing it, I'll try and take pics and document the process.

Thanks again for the advice.

 

A bit late but possibly of interest

How to Fix Locked Seat Belt Retractor and a Jammed/Stuck Seat Belt Pretensioner | MyAirbags Blog - Airbag Reset & Seat Belt Pretensioner Repair

 

Thanks, Hood. That might still come in handy

 

Have you tried something as simple as telling it out completely and spraying the far end with some silicon spray? I had this on my Boxster, I sprayed the last foot or so and let it wind back in, solved the issue.

 

Cheers, Apollo. I'll keep that in mind.