mechanics.tradeHandbrake performance
Testers wrote handbrake performance down 187,044 times during 2025, 34th on a list of 265 kinds of defect.
187,044recorded in 2025
0.6%of all recorded defects
34thon the national list
What it is
The parking brake has to hold the car to a set standard, measured rather than judged. It is tested separately from the footbrake and has its own lower threshold.
What the tester can write down
| Wording on the certificate | Category | Recorded in 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Parking brake inoperative on one side | Major | 183,267 |
What you can do about it
A handbrake that needs a lot of travel before it bites is the usual warning. Adjustment is often all that is needed, though a seized cable is a common cause on cars that sit unused.
Nearby on the list
Every defect on the list, from 42,728,066 MOT tests in 2025.