Handbrake Not Holding the Car? Causes and MOT Rules

Written by Petro Olekhnovych, mobile mechanic in Aylesham, Kent

You only notice the handbrake is weak when the car creeps on a slope. In hilly spots like the roads down to Dover seafront or the steep streets in Folkestone, that can be dangerous. Here is what usually causes it and what a proper fix looks like.

Signs your handbrake is not doing its job

• The car rolls or creeps on a slope with the handbrake fully on
• The lever pulls up many more clicks than it used to
• The lever feels loose or slack
• You can drive off with the handbrake on without much resistance
• An electronic parking brake warning light or message is showing
• The parking brake works on one side only, which a mechanic can feel with the wheels off the ground on proper stands

Common causes on a cable handbrake

• Stretched cable. Cables stretch slowly over years. Lever travel increases until there is not enough left to apply the brakes fully.
• Worn rear pads or shoes. The more the friction material wears, the further the mechanism has to move.
• Seized caliper mechanism. On rear disc brakes, the handbrake works through a lever and screw inside the caliper. Salt and damp from winter roads seize these, so the lever pulls but the pad barely moves.
• Self-adjusters not working on drum brakes, so the shoes sit further from the drum than they should.
• Contamination. Oil or brake fluid on shoes or pads, often from a leaking wheel cylinder or seal, cuts grip dramatically.
• Seized cable inside its outer sleeve, which can mean it does not release properly either.

In winter a different problem can show up: the handbrake freezes on and will not release. That has its own causes and fixes, covered in handbrake frozen on.

Electronic parking brakes

Many newer cars have a switch instead of a lever. The rear calipers have small motors that apply the pads. Faults can come from the motors, wiring, the switch or the control module. Some need a diagnostic tool to put them into service mode before the rear pads can be changed. A code reader is usually the first step to find out what the car thinks is wrong.

Will adjustment fix it?

Sometimes. If the rear brakes are in good order and the cable has simply stretched, a correct adjustment brings it back. But adjusting the cable to make up for seized calipers or worn shoes only hides the problem and can leave the brakes binding. The right order is:

1. Check the rear pads or shoes for wear and contamination
2. Check the caliper or drum mechanism moves freely
3. Check the cable runs freely and is not frayed
4. Then adjust to the maker's setting

Never work under a car supported only on a jack. Use axle stands on firm, level ground, or leave it to a mechanic.

Handbrake and the MOT

At the MOT the parking brake is tested for performance, and the tester also looks at the lever, cable, linkages and electronic parking brake operation. A parking brake that does not hold, a lever with excessive travel, a frayed cable or an electronic parking brake warning can all mean a fail. It is one of the items we look at in our pre-MOT check, and you can read more in the most common MOT failures.

Parking safely in the meantime

• Leave a manual car in first or reverse gear, and an automatic in park
• Turn the front wheels into the kerb on a hill
• Avoid parking on steep slopes until it is fixed

If the brake warning light is on as well, read our guide to the brake warning light, as it can also mean low brake fluid.

How we can help

At your home or workplace we can inspect the rear brakes and handbrake mechanism, free off or replace seized parts where possible, replace rear pads or discs, adjust the cable correctly, and scan electronic parking brakes for faults. We cover Aylesham, Canterbury, Dover, Deal, Folkestone and nearby villages. Labour is £30 to £50 per hour depending on the job, and you get a quote before work starts. Message your reg and postcode on WhatsApp 07563 350335 or use our contact page.

Frequently asked questions

Can I just adjust the handbrake myself?

Some cable handbrakes have a simple adjuster, but adjusting a cable to cover worn or seized parts is only a short term fix. It is worth finding out why it stopped holding first.

Will a weak handbrake fail the MOT?

Yes. The parking brake is tested for performance and must hold the vehicle. Excessive lever travel, a damaged cable or a faulty electronic parking brake can also fail.

Why does my handbrake lever pull up so high?

Usually the cable has stretched, the rear pads or shoes are worn, or the self-adjusting mechanism at the rear brakes is not working.

Is it safe to drive with a handbrake that does not hold?

The car can still stop using the footbrake, but parking becomes risky, especially on hills. Leave it in gear or park and turn the wheels into the kerb, and get it checked soon.

Sources

• MOT inspection manual: cars and passenger vehicles (GOV.UK)