Door catch mechanism

[I'm-no-mechanic 3 3 Cars]

I'm having trouble with the right side door on my 3 door 205, the catch has never caught properly during my ownership, it always requires coaxing to get it to shut.

 

I've been looking at it again this morning and I'm wondering if someone can advise me, it looks to me like the catching mechanism on the door is recessed further into the door than usual, is the gap on the right hand of the doors usual or is there something out of line that I need adjusting?

 

Thanks for your thoughts and time.

 

[Tom Fenton 1,619]

The mechanism can only really go in one place as the bolts are countersunk and so locate it.

I have had it where the mechanism is just worn out and doesn’t function properly. It shouldn’t be hard to get a new to you used one and replace it. 

[I'm-no-mechanic 3 3 Cars]

Thanks Tom, that makes sense, I shall look at replacing it then. I was just perplexed by the gap as they are snug to the inner side of the panel on my five door, but this is the only 3 door I've had. I suppose there may also be a different setup on a 3 door, or depending on age. Thanks again.

[SRDT 226]

You can also try to clean the crud inside with brake cleaner then lubricate it with some dry lube spray.