I have in the past tried to find out what the rules are, as far as a mot, if one doorlock is not working with the remote.
Irrelevant as long as the door handle works inside and out. Removing the CL motors simply stops the remote control from operating the locks. As long as the key works in the driver's door, and ideally the passenger door (pre facelift had a lock cylinder on both sides. Retrofitting this to a facelift should be easy enough.
On a facelift saloon you may want to keep the remote access to be able to pop the boot from outside the car (irrelevant on pre facelift and estate as long as the key operates the mechanical lock), but this should still work even if the front door motors are removed. Easy enough to test.
Whilst experimenting, leave at least one window open just in case.