2008 mini cooper s hatch issues

hello all! i recently acquired a 2008 mini cooper s hatchback, once i got home from purchasing the mini i opened the the rear hatch to lean that it will no longer hatch shut, i have attempted to see if pressing a screwdriver into the latch would make it latch, but it would not, making me think its the latch at fault? i have seen online this can also be caused by the electronic release in the handle of the hatch, how would i go about trouble shooting what item is at fault? weather it is the electronics in the handle or the latch itself not latching? thank you!