How to Remove MG ZR / Rover 25 Seats

Want to upgrade your MG ZR / Rover 25 seats to half pleather Matrix or full leather Monacos?

Need to remove the rear bench to wire in a subwoofer? (Psst! Check out my Vibe Subwoofer install here).

This how to guide shows you the step by step instructions for removing and refitting the seats in your Rover 25 or MG ZR.


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Time to Complete - 45-60 minutes

Difficulty - 3/5

Tools and Parts Required

• Torx T50 bit
• Ratchet
• 10mm socket
• 13mm socket
• Torque wrench

Disclaimer: Any information given in this guide is to be used at the readers own risk. I take no responsibility for injuries to the reader or damage to their vehicles. If this guide is followed correctly, no harm should occur to either the reader or the car.

Please read through the entirety of this guide prior to undertaking any work, and take due care.

How to Remove and Refit MG ZR / Rover 25 Seats

Step 1 - Disconnect the Battery

It's really important to do this prior to removing the front seats, latent charge could cause the seat belt pre-tensioners to fire.

To disconnect the battery, follow my battery disconnecting guide up to, and completing, step 2.

Allow at least 10 minutes for the circuits to discharge before continuing with this guide.

How to Remove Rover 25 and MG ZR Front Seats

Step 2 - Remove 4x Seat Frame Bolts

Using the Torx T50 bit in the ratchet remove the four bolts holding each corner of the seat rails down. I recommend sliding the seat fully back for better access to the front two bolts, and then fully forward for better access to the rear bolts.

All four bolt locations are shown below (for the passenger side seat, mirrored for drivers side).

Front Right and Left (respectively)

Rear Right and Left (respectively)

Step 3 - Disconnect Pre-tensioner Cable

Tilt the whole seat back and rest it on the rear seats, do not move it too far though. Making absolutely sure the battery has been disconnected, locate the seat belt pre-tensioner cable connection and disconnect it. It should be clipped to the bottom of the seat.

Step 4 - Remove Front Seat

The front seats can now safely be removed from the car. With the front seats out, your car will look like this.

How to Remove Rover 25 and MG ZR Rear Seats

Remove the rear bench before removing the seat backs.

Step 5 - Remove 3x Rear Bench Bolts

Using the 10mm socket and ratchet, locate and remove the 3 bolts holding the rear bench in place. Two are located at either corner, and one is located in the middle. To access them pull down the bench foam in the gap between the bench and the back. If the seats are in good condition it'll take a fair bit of force to reveal the bolts.

Step 6 - Remove Rear Bench

Once these 3 bolts have been removed the bench should pivot forward and come away fairly easily.

Step 7 - Loosen Rear Seat Back Bracket

Reposition yourself into the boot, and locate the upright bracket in between the back seats. Using the 13mm socket undo this bolt. Undoing this bolt will release the catch holding the seat into it. When suitably loosened the seats will simply lift out. See the images below for removing the larger back seat.

Step 8 - Remove Rear Seat Backs

After removing both of the rear seat halves, the interior of your car should look something like this.

Step 9 - Refit Seats

Refitting the seats is a case of following steps 1 - 7 in reverse. However please note the following Torque setting;

Rear bench to the floor bolts: 10Nm / 7ft lb

Job Done!

Only thing left to do is grab your keys and go for a drive!

Let me know in the comments below which seats you've fitted and why, and be sure to check out my other service and how to guides to keep your MG Rover running and looking sweet!