Quite out of the blue the bonnet will no longer latch shut when pushing down/dropping gently. Have to really slam it to get the latch to engage.

What could be causing this/be done to remedy?

If it is fully closed now is it safe to drive?

Spray all the moving latch parts and the cable with 3in1 oil

https://www.amazon.co.uk/One-200ml-Oil-Spray-Aerosol/dp/B000TVLT00/ref=asc_df_B000TVLT00/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=205202764240&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14808972485265213376&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006688&hvtargid=pla-423046434148&psc=1&mcid=7f6bc2a35d5231668e61fb5eac6b61ea&th=1&psc=1

25 minutes ago, steveyeu22 said:

If it is fully closed now is it safe to drive?

If the bonnet is properly latched, yes, safe to drive. By the way, the proper way to close a bonnet is to let it drop on it's own weight from a height of about 12 inches (30 cm)...

1 hour ago, unofix said:

Spray all the moving latch parts and the cable with 3in1 oil

https://www.amazon.co.uk/One-200ml-Oil-Spray-Aerosol/dp/B000TVLT00/ref=asc_df_B000TVLT00/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=205202764240&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14808972485265213376&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006688&hvtargid=pla-423046434148&psc=1&mcid=7f6bc2a35d5231668e61fb5eac6b61ea&th=1&psc=1

Cheers will give this a try. The fact dropping it from a fair height latched it suggests something could be sticking.

1 hour ago, StephenFord said:

If the bonnet is properly latched, yes, safe to drive. By the way, the proper way to close a bonnet is to let it drop on it's own weight from a height of about 12 inches (30 cm)...

Always done it more conservatively. It does latch fully from that height but only now needs that much force.

 

Certainly lubricate the mechanism first, but also check that the latch on the car body hasn't come loose and/or moved a little. And check that the rubber bump stops aren't set too high stopping the bonnet going down onto the latch.

5 hours ago, alanfp said:

Certainly lubricate the mechanism first, but also check that the latch on the car body hasn't come loose and/or moved a little. And check that the rubber bump stops aren't set too high stopping the bonnet going down onto the latch.

It goes down but no longer latches when dropped from a lower height or pushed back down. Second latch works to hold it after pulling release lever still though.

The fact that it closes when proper procedure is followed (ie dropped from a height of 12 inches) shows that alignment, bump stops etc are working just fine. Just needs some lubrication which it should always receive at regular intervals...

41 minutes ago, StephenFord said:

The fact that it closes when proper procedure is followed (ie dropped from a height of 12 inches) shows that alignment, bump stops etc are working just fine. Just needs some lubrication which it should always receive at regular intervals...

So it's quite possibly just that if it seems to be closing from a drop of around 12 inches?

If its staying closed it should in theory be safe to drive in that case?

The bonnet stay does look bent could that be causing issues?

1 minute ago, steveyeu22 said:

So it's quite possibly just that if it seems to be closing from a drop of around 12 inches?

Rather than analyising this issue to death, have you tried simply oiling/greasing the mechanism?

12 hours ago, StephenFord said:

Rather than analyising this issue to death, have you tried simply oiling/greasing the mechanism?

Does seem improved but also looks in daylight that the stay may have been getting in the way too. Will keep an eye on it.