What could this MOT fail mean?

[Geertsen]

We had a 2012 Ford Ka fail it’s MOT on the following:

- Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle 70% (1.2.1 (b) (i))

- Offside Rear Service brake lagging in operation (1.2.1 (d))

I know it’s a bit vague but any ideas what the issue could be would be much appreciated.

The car had been sitting for a long time before driving the car to the MOT (1.5hour drive prior to test).

Thank you

[kiethton]

That you've likely got a knackered/ceased brake caliper

[Chumley.mouse]

Drum brakes on the ka …….take the drum off and give them a good clean fettle and see if that improves them.

[Krikkit]

Driver's rear brake is nearly seized - lagging behind the other one on brake application and not balanced with the other side. Most likely a fresh cylinder (as it's a drum) will sort it, but might need shoes etc if it's worn them through dragging.

[Geertsen]

Thank you for the replies.

...Update...

...and another hypothetical question.

I have just had the rear offside brake assembly dismantled by a mechanic (something else was being sorted so asked him to look at this too). He cleaned and deglazed the brake (and fettled around for a while) and couldn’t see anything wrong with it. What are the chances that this ‘service’ (in inverted commas!) on the brake parts will sort the issue (i.e. enough to pass a re-test)...?

[Pica-Pica]

Geertsen said:

Thank you for the replies.

...Update...

...and another hypothetical question.

I have just had the rear offside brake assembly dismantled by a mechanic (something else was being sorted so asked him to look at this too). He cleaned and deglazed the brake (and fettled around for a while) and couldn t see anything wrong with it. What are the chances that this service (in inverted commas!) on the brake parts will sort the issue (i.e. enough to pass a re-test)...?

Did the mechanic check the brake wheel cylinders are responding and moving the brake shoes OK? Were the shoe contact points to the brake back plate OK and free to move?

[Geertsen]

Thanks Pica-Pica.

I can’t be 100% sure of everything the mechanic did but he said he deglazed it (which he said was the only obvious issue) and I saw him fettling (from a distance). Just looked like cleaning the drum and shoe mechanism.

Anyhow, what he did must’ve worked because it went back to the original garage today for a retest and...

PASSED

Thank you all for the replies.

[paul_c123]

Geertsen said:

Thank you for the replies.

...Update...

...and another hypothetical question.

I have just had the rear offside brake assembly dismantled by a mechanic (something else was being sorted so asked him to look at this too). He cleaned and deglazed the brake (and fettled around for a while) and couldn t see anything wrong with it. What are the chances that this service (in inverted commas!) on the brake parts will sort the issue (i.e. enough to pass a re-test)...?

Belated reply, but yes sometimes drum brakes just need cleaning. They tend to get left because the rears don't do an awful lot on small cars. In theory there is an inspection hole (and a rubber plug) but its better to remove the drum and look at them, as above. If the mechanic didn't spot any major issues such as damaged drum or worn shoes, no worries.

[E-bmw]

As above, most likely a clean/adjust is all it needed.

[Pica-Pica]

Good to hear it passed, rear drum brakes are pretty robust, but they do need to be cleaned and to ensure they are free to move on the back plate. My wife's 2013 Fabia has rear drums, so far thay have had little that needed doing on them. Sod's Law, they will this year.