Hi: I just found out the hard way that disconnecting the battery in my 05MCS's boot to do some maintanence and closing the boot is not a good idea. I was locked out of the boot. It was then that I realized there is no key hole to unlock the boot. I couldnt get the rear seats down either from inside the car. Is the any manual release lever in the passenger compartment to release either the boot or to be able to fold down the rear seats? I just got the car a few weeks ago so I'm not familiar with the car. Thanks for your help.

 

Lift the bottom of the back seat and there is a release. IT pops up if you pull on the front of it. I did the same thing once.

 

Just to clarify, the release is a small ring roughly in the middle underneath the rear seat cushion. Note: When I had to use mine, it took two pulls to get it to release.

 

This pull ring detail does not exist on the 2002's so if you have a 2002 and need to disconnect the battery, make sure you leave the rear proped open or at least remove the parcel shelf. I speak from experience

 

Hi: I found the hidden ring for the boot release. But is there any release to fold down the rear seats from inside the passenger compartment without opening the hatch? I'm still getting to know my new mini so I don't know about all the hidden stuff. Thanks!

 

Nope. That's a safety feature so you can keep stuff 'safe' in the boot.

It may be possible to lift up the rear parcel tray to get back there, but I haven't tried.
One of the neat thing about MINIs is that there are all sorts of cool little things you find out about over time!

 

In an emergency, you could also connect another battery to the terminal
under the bonnet (on an MCS; it's a moot point on an MC since the battery is under the bonnet) to supply power to the car and then unlock the boot
using your key or the switch on the dash.

 

Eric's right To know them is to love them They're funner everyday. Let's Motor