Success, finally, with the removal of the side skirt mouldings on my ND2 (30AE).
There seems to be no readily available info (Workshop Manual, YT, Local dealership, etc.) on how to remove the security tab and retaining clip on the underside of the side skirt moulding, fitted to these models.
In addition to the 2016 ND Workshop Manual process for removing the side skirt moulding, my procedure to remove the white plastic retaining clip running through the black plastic side skirt security tab (without breaking anything) as follows:
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Remove front wheel and rear section of wheel arch liner.
1a. You may wish to apply two or three layers of adhesive tape onto the steel sill between the grey plastic grommet and the white plastic clip to avoid any potential paint chip
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Position a long, flat-blade screwdriver with a sharp blade against the channel-shaped section of the white clip…
2a. …simultaneously pressing the release spring in the middle of the other end of the clip located on the underside of the sill moulding
- Apply pressure to the screwdriver so that the sharp blade is biting into the channel section of the clip, then prise it towards the front of the car, levering against the tape-protected steel sill.
When the spring part of the plastic clip on the underside of the sill has started to recede into the black plastic security tab, use a suitable blunt tool to push hard against the spring clip, helping the levering action to force the clip upwards and forwards.
A strip of black adhesive foam will be noticed as the white retaining clip is removed, this is only there to keep the loose bits in place during fitting/refitting of the sill moulding. - The black plastic security tab can then be slid forwards and removed, allowing the whole side skirt moulding to be detached following the normal Workshop Manual instructions.
Images of security tab and its retaining clip, once removed from the car
Happy days!