Brake travel, MOT fail?

[MGB Boy]

Will a reasonably high amount of foot brake travel, without it hitting the floor / brakes still effective, fail the MOT?

Would bleed the brakes but worried about snapping the bleed nipples the day before the MOT. (Dad refuses to drive it to MOT station without MOT although I've explained it's legal)

[madrob6]

Could you not just ask the garage to do a brake fluid change before the MOT? If they break the bleed nipples then you can act all arsey and tell them it's all their fault you're going to miss the MOT.

Failing that try bleeding the brakes and checking to see if you think the car is fit enough before sending it in for an MOT in future?

ETA: Sorry, just realised that sounded a bit arsey and I didn't answer the question. My brother's Golf passed the MOT with a lot of travel in the brake pedal but considering that at some point you're going to have to bleed it I'd just give it a go by bleeding the ones you can, if any are stuck then deal with them after the MOT.

Edited by madrob6 on Tuesday 4th May 23:15

[Fish981]

If the brake pedal doesn't creep down and there's still some reserve travel it should pass.
Does the brake pedal rise if you pump it quickly?

[Benjybh]

I had to drive my MGB down to the local garage with sketchy brakes yesterday: The nearside rear wheel cylinder had gone and buggered itself and I have no time this week to fix it. You needed to drive the whole way with right foot on the accelerator, left foot pumping the brake pedal!

[anonymous-user]

Fish981 said:

If the brake pedal doesn't creep down and there's still some reserve travel it should pass.
Does the brake pedal rise if you pump it quickly?

the pedal on my car does this.

what does it indicate?

[Dr.Doofenshmirtz]

DangerousMike said:

Fish981 said:

If the brake pedal doesn't creep down and there's still some reserve travel it should pass.
Does the brake pedal rise if you pump it quickly?

the pedal on my car does this.

what does it indicate?

Most likely air in the system or a knackered master cylinder.

[GHW]

DangerousMike said:

Fish981 said:

If the brake pedal doesn't creep down and there's still some reserve travel it should pass.
Does the brake pedal rise if you pump it quickly?

the pedal on my car does this.

what does it indicate?

If the engine is switched off, then this is perfectly normal behaviour (for a modern vehicle with servo-assisted brakes). If it does that when the engine is running, then you've got problems...

[anonymous-user]

i will check it with the engine on then thanks

[MGB Boy]

Fish981 said:

If the brake pedal doesn't creep down and there's still some reserve travel it should pass.
Does the brake pedal rise if you pump it quickly?

I shall investigate shortly, Got to adjust the handbrake as well

[perdu]

MGB Boy said:

Fish981 said:

If the brake pedal doesn't creep down and there's still some reserve travel it should pass.
Does the brake pedal rise if you pump it quickly?

I shall investigate shortly, Got to adjust the handbrake as well

Look look look

if you need to adjust the brakes you can have excessive travel on the pedal

simples

adjust then see how the pedal is

if you are frightened to bleed after adjusting surely the car isnt ready to drive anyway

cancel the MOT and get it sorted

these are brakes!!!

(and I'm on a hobbyhorse! )