no mk4's came with door pins...those must have been retro-fitted:

02 reg and 52 reg mk4's seem to have door pins, looks sike seat had a batch of door cards with holes in so fitted pins. Then when that batch ran out they just fitted the pin less door cards.

My bro's 02 reg 130 FR had pins.
 
02 reg and 52 reg mk4's seem to have door pins, looks sike seat had a batch of door cards with holes in so fitted pins. Then when that batch ran out they just fitted the pin less door cards.

My bro's 02 reg 130 FR had pins.
I dont think its to do with that, because the little mouldings that let the pins go through are just a push in fit, keeps coming out when refitting the door card.
I think ill take my door cards off again and see if I actually need the rod, or after which point I dont, cut it and then just order some of the newer blank ones instead.

My divers side door pin doesnt come up all the way either though, thats only since the last time I put the door card back on so somethings stuck somewhere