Well, it now says that rating the item is optional but the "leave feedback" button is greyed out unless you do rate it.

Yes, filled in the seller feedback part. I tried to attach a screenshot to my previous reply but I only see it as a downloadable attachment so perhaps doing something wrong? 

Can you upload a screenshot?

The lower half of the page, showing the greyed-out button (requires text to be entered in the box). Again, this item was described as used. Having just checked, all my latest items have this style feedback page, including another used item.

The "Tell us more about this item" box used to be "Tell us what you loved about your experience", as shown by this screenshot from an older transaction. This is what we want back. 

On the App the comment box has had 'Tell us more about this item' on it for a long time, way before the 'Rate this item' section was added.  I always felt it was confusing. 

I can't say I've ever noticed the comment box has changed.

I've always mentioned the same things as we are asked to rate, the item as described against the reality of what arrives, the dispatch time, the packaging & sometimes, the postage. Very occasionally I'll mention the product.

Having only recently noticed the 'How would you rate this item?' is now optional, I've also noticed it's now been removed on a lot of the items where it was previously present & compulsory

It makes me feel that perhaps, that hour long online chat I had with eBay about this did some good after all!

Along with all the others who complained, of course!

The 'How would you rate your item' section is now optional.

As for the comment box, even though it refers to the item, you can put whatever you like in there. 

Apologies for the late reply.

You can still rate the sellers' performance in various categories out of 5 (as you always could) but it's now optional & hidden & is easy to overlook.

It's titled 'Rate more details about your purchase (Optional)' v

You click the downward arrow to the right of 'Optional' & the categories open up.

On the 'Tell us more about this item' box you just leave your normal feedback.

Above this you sometimes get (depending on the item) 'How would you rate this item? (Optional).

This is the box that caused all the trouble (you originally had to fill this in to leave feedback). However, following numerous complaints, combined with the fact that nobody on the eBay helpdesk knew anything about it, or, what it meant, it is now optional, so you can just ignore it.

Thanks for the link.  Hadn't even noticed the new system for feedback till today (I was using my old link to the old, better feedback system).  Again, so stupid.  I want to give good feedback to the seller quickly, but why would I rate a car part I have only just bought, might not install for a few weeks, and won't know if it is ok till it's been in my car for a good while longer?