Handfree closing tailgate

[George MG HS PHEV2025]

Had my MG hs phev trophy for nearly month, it is my first MG car and I am still learning how to get all features work. One issue I come across is how to handfree close the power tailgate:

The user manual said that the tailgate can opened or closed by kicking foot under the center of rear bumper. I managed to open it by doing so, but failed to close it by kicking again - it beep twice but no moving the tailgate.

Contacted MG UK Customer Care, I was given section of the user manual and directed me to local dealer. I wonder if anyone came across the same or similar issue, if so how it was sorted out - kick closing the tailgate successfully.

Thanks in advance for your kindly assistance.

George

 

[BPM06]

How long was the boot lid open for, before you tried to close it (with the foot action)?
I think it "times out" after a while.
TBH I don't use the facility, mine is not that sensitive, and I spend too long kicking - looks like I'm attacking the car!
I know it works because I can always rely on the lid opening (inconveniently) when I clean that area of the car.

 

[Lovemyev]

Not sure if it’s the same as the S5 model that we have, but I strongly expect that it is.
But our S5 is the same, you can use the “kick sensor” to open the hatch / tail gate, but if you try and repeat the kicking action to lower the hatch, it is not happy !.
It makes the same beep - beep sound and will not close.
You have to use either the button on the fob, or the push button fitted on the R/H side of the hatch trim panel.
I have my own theory here .
The foot sensor switch will not obey a command to CLOSE the hatch for safety reasons to avoid a “trap” situation.
E.G. - You have opened the hatch to load items into the boot, you are reaching to the rear of the boot packing your items.
The front of your legs are up against the rear bumper, your feet are slightly under the car.
You move one of your feet and you accidentally trigger the sensor, the hatch starts to close and you are still packing items into the rear of the boot.
Not a nice experience to have the hatch hit you in the head or back !.
It will reverse on contact of course, but not nice never the less .
This maybe be the reason it is this way then .

 

[George MG HS PHEV2025]

How long was the boot lid open for, before you tried to close it (with the foot action)?
I think it "times out" after a while.
TBH I don't use the facility, mine is not that sensitive, and I spend too long kicking - looks like I'm attacking the car!
I know it works because I can always rely on the lid opening (inconveniently) when I clean that area of the car.

Hi, BPM06, thanks for sharing your story. The tailgate opening was not long, e. g. loading shopping.

 

[George MG HS PHEV2025]

Not sure if it’s the same as the S5 model that we have, but I strongly expect that it is.
But our S5 is the same, you can use the “kick sensor” to open the hatch / tail gate, but if you try and repeat the kicking action to lower the hatch, it is not happy !.
It makes the same beep - beep sound and will not close.
You have to use either the button on the fob, or the push button fitted on the R/H side of the hatch trim panel.
I have my own theory here .
The foot sensor switch will not obey a command to CLOSE the hatch for safety reasons to avoid a “trap” situation.
E.G. - You have opened the hatch to load items into the boot, you are reaching to the rear of the boot packing your items.
The front of your legs are up against the rear bumper, your feet are slightly under the car.
You move one of your feet and you accidentally trigger the sensor, the hatch starts to close and you are still packing items into the rear of the boot.
Not a nice experience to have the hatch hit you in the head or back !.
It will reverse on contact of course, but not nice never the less .
This maybe be the reason it is this way then .

Hi, Lovemyev, for your sharing your story and thought on this issue.

It might be the case for safety reason as the tailgate opening height has been set about 80% full open to accommodate other members of family while made it not very far above my head when approaching to kick it close.