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PRE MOT CHECKS

Avoid a Failure	Reasons For Failure	Council MOT Centres
Handbrake	Footbrake	Steering Wheel
Windscreen/Mirrors	Seat Belts	Doors
Electrical	Brakes	Shock Absorbers
Steering Mechanism	Braking System	Wheels/Tyres
Bodywork	Steering/Suspension	Exhaust System
Drive Shafts	Fuel/Exhaust	Petrol Emissions
Diesel Emissions	Reg Plates/VIN

Avoiding MOT Failure

Handbrake

Test the operation of the Handbrake.

Make sure that you handbrake works by pulling away slowly and applying it to make sure that it slows the car.
The handbrake should stop the car from rolling on a hill.

Adjustment: When you pull up the handbrake count the clicks. There should be around 6 clicks before it is fully engaged. If there is excessive travel or hardly any travel in the handbrake then you might need to adjust it. This is usually done at the rear drum or disc but varies from model to model. Refer to handbook.

You can usually see an inspection hole near to where the cable enters the hub and a cog with ratchet like action that can be turned by inserting a screw driver into the inspection hole and pushing the driver against the spline to ratchet the cog and apply more adjustment.

Also check that the handbrake cannot be released by wobbling the handbrake from side to side. Only pushing the button at the end should release it.

Make sure the the whole handbrake assembly is solid and that the lever mountings are secure.

Further Help
Handbrake Requirements