Handbrake and Electronic Parking Brake Faults
A handbrake fault, whether a lever that pulls up too high, fails to hold the car on a slope, or an electronic parking brake warning light, needs attention. A parking brake that will not hold is both an MOT failure and a genuine safety hazard, so it should not be ignored even if the main brakes work fine.
How the parking brake works
The parking brake (handbrake) holds the car still when parked, independently of the main foot brake. On most cars it operates the rear brakes, traditionally via a lever and cable, and on many newer cars via an electronic switch and motors.
Because it is separate from the main braking system, the parking brake can develop its own faults while the foot brake works perfectly. It is checked at the MOT and is important for safety, especially on Norfolk's many gentle slopes and sloping driveways.
Cable handbrake faults
On a traditional cable handbrake, the common faults are mechanical.
- The lever pulling up much higher than usual, meaning the cable has stretched or needs adjusting.
- The handbrake not holding the car on a slope, a clear safety problem.
- A seized cable, often from corrosion, so the brake does not fully apply or release.
- Worn rear brake shoes or pads reducing how well it grips.
These can usually be adjusted or repaired straightforwardly.
Electronic parking brake faults
Electronic parking brakes (EPB) apply the rear brakes with small motors at the push of a button. When they go wrong, they usually flag a warning light or message rather than feeling different to operate.
Faults can include a failed actuator motor, a sensor or switch issue, or a fault that appears when the battery voltage is low. EPBs also need special tools to wind the calipers back for rear brake work, so servicing them is not a DIY job.
Why a parking brake fault matters
It is tempting to shrug off a handbrake that does not hold well if the main brakes are fine, but that is a mistake. A parking brake that fails to hold can let the car roll away on a slope, which is dangerous to people and property.
It is also an MOT failure: the test checks that the parking brake holds effectively. So a weak or faulty handbrake needs sorting both for safety and to pass the MOT, not left until it becomes a bigger problem.
Always have a backup on a slope
Whatever the state of your handbrake, it is good practice to leave the car in gear (or Park on an automatic) when parked on any slope, as a backup to the parking brake. Turning the wheels towards the kerb helps too.
This is not a substitute for a working parking brake, but it is a sensible safety habit that can stop a car rolling if the handbrake ever slips. It costs nothing and takes a second.
Getting it checked
Whether it is a cable handbrake pulling up too high or an electronic parking brake warning, the fault should be diagnosed and put right. Cable systems often just need adjustment or a cable, while electronic systems need proper diagnosis and the right tools.
We can inspect and repair both types as part of brake work or a service, including the special procedures electronic parking brakes need. A parking brake that holds properly is worth having for safety and for the MOT.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my handbrake pull up so high?
A handbrake lever that pulls up much higher than usual usually means the cable has stretched or the brake needs adjusting, sometimes with worn rear shoes or pads reducing grip. It is generally a straightforward adjustment or repair, and worth doing as a weak handbrake is an MOT failure.
Is a handbrake that won't hold an MOT failure?
Yes. The MOT checks that the parking brake holds effectively, so a handbrake that fails to hold the car on a slope is a failure. It is also a genuine safety hazard, as the car could roll away, so it should be repaired promptly even if the main foot brake works fine.
What causes an electronic parking brake warning?
Electronic parking brakes can flag a warning from a failed actuator motor, a sensor or switch fault, or low battery voltage. They usually warn rather than feel different to use. Diagnosis needs the right tools, and rear brake work on these cars requires winding the calipers back electronically.
Can I service an electronic parking brake myself?
It is not a DIY job. Electronic parking brakes need special tools to wind the calipers back for rear brake work and to clear any faults, and getting it wrong can damage the system. Have a garage with the right equipment, like ours, carry out the work.
Should I leave my car in gear when parked?
Yes, especially on a slope. Leaving the car in gear, or in Park on an automatic, and turning the wheels towards the kerb gives a backup if the parking brake ever slips. It is not a substitute for a working handbrake, but it is a sensible safety habit that costs nothing.
Book With Norwich Tyres & Auto Service
Need a hand from a real, independent Norwich garage? Call 07933 900901 or pop into Ber Street, NR1 3ES. Same-day tyre fitting is available on most common sizes, with free parking on site.
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