Had my car MoT'ed yesterday and it failed on 3.1.6b "parking brake lever has no reserve travel". Can anyone please translate what the heck this means?

 

At a guess your hand brake needs tightening

 

Indeed.
It may have sufficient holding force but is on its last ratchet - right up as high as it goes.
So if you have to park on a steep hill you could't pull it on any harder - thats the issue.

Sounds like you need to adjust it up at the lever - cant recall if the S has that adjustment?
Or the cogs/gears in the rear calipers are not taking up the slack correctly (winding out).
How was rear brake performance?

 

I think that's when the level can be pulled all the way to its max without it locking the brake enough.

I had mine MOT'd the other week and watched them they put it on rollers (with grips) and yank the handle on and off whilst monitoring a gauge.

Calipers etc alright, cable tight?

 

The procedure is in the service manual

 

I'm not sure they shouldn't have done that.

I think the MOT handbook says that cars with an LSD should not be tested on the brake roller.

It might be ok with a Torsen???

Maybe someone with better knowledge will chime in.

Chris.

Edit:

http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_370.htm

 

thats interesting about the brake rollers, i wonder how many garages do it properly or just chuck it on the rollers

 

Cheers Chris,

FFS bloody amateurs, i might have a word with them? but they'll just claim 'we didnt know your car had LSD'.

I take it doing this method can somehow f@#k the LSD?

 

j8mie - print off that page and take it to them as they most likely will say that rule doesn't exist, and if they ask for proof of LSD do a massive burn out in there carpark leaving some nice 11's

 

Tis not a true LSD, in the sense it mechanically locks or slips clutches etc.

It will be fine on a brake test, the Torsen has no wear parts.