To remove a seat from a VE Commodore, release the front seat from its track mounts by removing the four bolts at the front and back of the seat runners using a socket wrench, then slide the seat forward and lift it out.
How do you take a seat out?
Front seats are removed by sliding them forward after releasing the four mounting bolts in the seat tracks.
Slide the seats all the way back until you see those plastic caps hiding the track bolts. Grab a 10mm or 12mm socket with a ratchet—those bolts usually aren’t too stubborn—and remove the two front bolts per seat plus their matching rear bolts. Once they’re out, just pull the seat forward to pop it off the tracks, then lift it right out of the car. (Trust me, keeping the bolts and washers in a labeled bag saves so much frustration later.) Before you yank it completely free, peek underneath for any wiring harnesses that might still be connected.
How do I remove the back seat from a VF Commodore?
VF Commodore rear seats lift out after pulling the front edge up and removing two bolts per side at the bottom.
Start by grabbing the front edge of each rear seat cushion and pulling upward—it’ll release from those front hooks with a little force. Now slide your hand underneath each side and remove the two 13mm bolts holding the seat frame to the floor. Once those bolts are gone, lift the seat upward to disengage the rear hooks, and the cushion comes right out. The backrests come next; just lift them upward after the cushions are gone. They’re held by plastic clips and a single bolt at the bottom of each side.
Is removing back seats illegal?
Removing rear seats is not illegal, but any structural or safety-related changes may require a modification plate for the vehicle to remain road legal.
If you’re just clearing space for cargo or a deep clean, you’re fine. But if you’re messing with seating capacity or safety systems, you’ll need to let your registration authority know—and in most places, that means getting a modification plate. Otherwise, you could run into trouble with insurance or compliance checks. Oh, and if you plan to put the seats back later, keep them handy.
How do you remove front seats?
Front seats are removed by releasing the four track bolts (two at the front, two at the rear of each runner) using a socket set and ratchet.
Start with the seat all the way forward so you can actually reach the front bolts under those plastic caps. Remove each bolt and washer, then slide the seat forward off the tracks. Some cars have wiring for seat heaters or memory settings—unplug that before lifting the seat out. A magnetic tray works wonders for keeping bolts from rolling under the car and disappearing forever.
Do you need MOD plate to remove seats?
Removing seats does not automatically require a modification plate unless the change affects seating capacity, safety systems, or vehicle compliance.
You only need a modification plate if your removal changes the car’s original setup in a way that messes with safety certification or registration. For example, turning a family car into a two-seater for track days usually requires one. But if you’re just taking out the back seats for extra cargo room, you’re probably in the clear. Still, check your local transport authority’s rules before making permanent changes—better safe than sorry.
Will a car pass MOT with no back seats?
A car will usually pass an MOT with rear seats removed, but the tester will note the absence as an advisory if seat belts are also missing.
To dodge that advisory note, either put the seat belts back in or make it obvious they’re gone (like, actually removed, not just tucked away). The tester checks that the car’s structure and safety systems are intact, and any remaining seating positions must have proper belts. If your car originally had three rear seats and you only remove one, the tester might insist you reinstall the others or at least belt them properly.
Can I remove car seats?
Yes, you can remove car seats, but you must ensure the removal doesn’t compromise safety systems or vehicle compliance.
Front bucket seats usually come out after removing four bolts—two at the front of the tracks and two at the rear. Once those are out, slide the seat forward and lift it out. If your car has side airbags or seatbelt pretensioners wired through the seat, unplug those connectors first. And when you’re done, make sure to reconnect everything properly—otherwise, you might end up with airbag warning lights or diagnostic trouble codes after reinstallation.
Do I need to disconnect battery to remove seats?
Yes, disconnect the battery before removing seats to prevent unintended airbag deployment and to avoid triggering seatbelt or airbag warning lights.
Find the negative terminal and use a 10mm wrench to loosen the clamp. Remove the cable and tuck it away from the terminal so it can’t accidentally touch anything. This step stops any electrical contact while you work. Only reconnect the battery once all seats, wiring, and safety systems are back in place and secure. If you’re only removing the rear seats, you *might* get away without disconnecting the battery, but doing it anyway is the smarter move.
What tools do you need to remove a car seat?
You need a socket set (typically 10mm or 12mm), ratchet, wrenches, a flat-head screwdriver, and a plastic bag or magnetic tray for bolts.
Most seats are held by 10mm or 12mm bolts in the tracks, but some European or performance models might use 13mm or 14mm bolts. A 3/8-inch drive ratchet fits most jobs perfectly. Keep a small container nearby to corral bolts and washers—losing even one can turn a simple job into a nightmare. If your seat has side airbags, a trim removal tool helps with wiring harness access, but never—*ever*—pry under the airbag itself.
How do you remove the backseat of a VY?
VY Commodore rear seats release by pulling a small pull tag at the bottom front of each cushion, then removing two 15mm bolts per side and lifting the seat upward.
Get down on your knees and look for that tiny fabric pull tag tucked under the front edge of each rear cushion. Give it a firm tug to release the front hooks. Next, grab a 15mm socket and remove the two bolts at the bottom of each side of the seat frame. Once those bolts are out, lift the seat upward to unhook the rear mounts, and the cushion comes right out. The backrests lift out next—they’re held by plastic clips and a single bolt at the bottom.
How do you take the back seat out of a Swift?
In an RTA/RMS-compliant Swift, rear seats must remain installed or be officially recorded as removed to maintain road legality.
Start by pulling the front edge of the cushion upward to release those front hooks. Then remove the two bolts at the bottom of each side—usually 12mm or 14mm. Lift the cushion upward to release the rear hooks, and the seat comes right out. The backrests follow, held by clips and bolts at the bottom. If you’re planning to remove the seats for good, let your registration authority know so they can update your vehicle’s configuration. Skip this step, and you might run into issues during inspections or insurance claims.
