Handbrake: was MOT notified wrong?

[mark543434]

11.5 months ago. First MOT was due on my 3 year old Mazda5. The Mazda dealer (for half price, thank you) notified that the handbrake was only just working. In the meantime I got the Mazda5 service manual pdf off t'internet and under "brakes" it clearly states to "pump the pedal" a few times before testing the handbrake. I had never tried this and my word it makes the HB more effective! The HB has never been "strong", has always needed the same no. of clicks and now I see the Mazda's own recc's for how to use it "properly"

So.. When I get my MOT in two weeks, can I print out the pages of the service manual and say "do the HB test this way, them's wot did that notifying last year forgot this bit?

thoughts

Mark

[jimbob82]

wouldn't hurt to give them the info. worst they can do is ignore it

[stevieturbo]

Can do no harm. But seems kind of ridiculous to have to do that !

[mark543434]

Cheers for answers chaps

Stvieturbo, digging further on the forums re MOT's i saw your comment last Jan http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

I thought the same thing, the imbalance calc's make no sense. Can I ask for this type if info after the MOT? I just got pretty basic paperwork last time.

mark

[stevieturbo]

mark543434 said:

Cheers for answers chaps

Stvieturbo, digging further on the forums re MOT's i saw your comment last Jan http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

I thought the same thing, the imbalance calc's make no sense. Can I ask for this type if info after the MOT? I just got pretty basic paperwork last time.

mark

Over here ( Northern Ireland ) you would get a printout of the fail sheet which would include such information. No idea what the test guys do over there though.
I cant see any valid reason for them to refuse such info if they have it, as it would help diagnose and repair the problem.

[Mr2Mike]

mark543434 said:

11.5 months ago. First MOT was due on my 3 year old Mazda5. The Mazda dealer (for half price, thank you) notified that the handbrake was only just working. In the meantime I got the Mazda5 service manual pdf off t'internet and under "brakes" it clearly states to "pump the pedal" a few times before testing the handbrake.

Pumping the pedal will simply ensure the self adjuster within the rear calipers has taken up any excessive clearance due to pad wear, but this should happen during normal operation of the brakes if the rear callipers are working correctly.

If the handbrake only ever works properly after a few pumps of the brake pedal, does the owners handbook also advise this sequence to be applied every single time you want to apply the handbrake in normal use?

[theshrew]

If i was the tester which im not id fail it mate. Its called a handbrake not a pump the peddle and handbrake.

What if you sold the car in 2 months time. The new owner gets in and doesnt pump the peddle car rolls off down the hill and kills a kid ?

The handbrake should work on its own. Im not sure of the set up on your car but it sounds like its out of adjustment or something is seized. Its not a big job just get it looked at if your not sure what to do yourself