Are handbrake turns legal

[MikeT]

I have in, my hand, an MOT failure notice that is boldly emblazoned **DANGEROUS** and in the box marked "C" it clearly states, "Warning: In my opinion, the vehicle is dangerous to drive because of defects marked as such on the failure and/or advisory documents" (The emphasis is mine).

The reason it's dangerous to drive?......





















PARK BRAKE FAILURE

Ok, you could argue the handbrake is an emergency backup or supplement to normal braking if needed.

[Kowalski]

The MOT tester has found a fault with your brakes, if he didn't say the car was dangerous to drive and you had an accident he'd be in trouble. Its a legal requirement to have an "auxilliary brake" and yours doesn't work.

[weety]

cars are required to have two seperate braking systems so that in the event of the failure of one system you can have the other as an emergency backup.....

if you have ever had a brake line burst (mark 5 escort anyone) you will suddenly learn to appreciate your handbrake

since the system is all computerised i bet you get the 'danger of imminent death' warning on any failure of the braking system

[Ross_K]

PARK BRAKE FAILURE

Ok, you could argue the handbrake is an emergency backup or supplement to normal braking if needed.

Or kinda handy if you ever park on a hill?

[Homer]

Sounds like the tester was being a bit over the top.

PARK BRAKE FAILURE

Ok, you could argue the handbrake is an emergency backup or supplement to normal braking if needed.

Or kinda handy if you ever park on a hill?

I would never trust a handbrake alone when parking on a hill anyway. Leave the car in gear and turn the wheels toward the kerb.

[CitroJim]

I would never trust a handbrake alone when parking on a hill anyway. Leave the car in gear and turn the wheels toward the kerb.

Good advice Homer Especially to us owners of hydraulic Citroens!

[myglaren]

Opened my bedroom curtains one day to see my Xantia spanning the road. No one could get up or down the street Good job it was early and there wasn't a car parked opposite.


Ooops

[weety]

hmmm get an old xantia and go where the kids 'hang' then bet them lots of money they cant do a handbrake turn in it

[Ross_K]

Leave the car in gear and turn the wheels toward the kerb.

Yeah thanks for the tip. I was familiar with that concept already though...

Maybe 1% of the population does that in practice. The other 99% rely on a working handbrake to keep their car from rolling into other people's property.

Moaning about failing an MOT for something like an incorrect number plate font is one thing, but I would have thought people on this forum would understand the need to keep important things like brakes in working order - obviously I was wrong.

[MikeT]

Moaning about failing an MOT for something like an incorrect number plate font is one thing, but I would have thought people on this forum would understand the need to keep important things like brakes in working order - obviously I was wrong.

Ross, I posted to poke fun, not complain....Who uses their handbrake to drive on public roads? Not me.

p.s. Did you know motorcycles don't have a handbrake?

[weety]

Moaning about failing an MOT for something like an incorrect number plate font is one thing, but I would have thought people on this forum would understand the need to keep important things like brakes in working order - obviously I was wrong.

Ross, I posted to poke fun, not complain....Who uses their handbrake to drive on public roads? Not me.

p.s. Did you know motorcycles don't have a handbrake?

bikes have two independent braking systems......

[CitroJim]

bikes have two independent braking systems......

Or three if you put both feet down on the ground at the same time. Even more effective if you angle your heel up

[MikeT]

p.s. Did you know motorcycles don't have a handbrake?

bikes have two independent braking systems......

True, though some are linked, the later VFR**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]'s for example. Some have ABS also. Though, on a bike, a handbrake would be dangerous if used while riding. Besides, the front brake gives plenty of stopping power.

[reblack68]

Cars have dual circuit brakes, which provides the back-up braking system. The handbrake is a parking brake. The Xantia is one of the few cars where the handbrake would be an effective emergency brake.

Motorbikes do have independent brakes but using the back brake alone for any kind of serious braking would hurt lots.

I think Mike was taking issue with the suggestion that his car was dangerous to drive because it had no handbrake. By definition an MOT fail tells you that your car doesn't meet the required safety standards but the "dangerous to drive" statement is normally reserved for something a little more serious than a handbrake. It's the CMA culture at work again.

[myglaren]

Cars have dual circuit brakes, which provides the back-up braking system.

I don't think this is true anymore as ABS and dual-circuit are not compatible.