MOT brake advisory - need help

[Anneke2013]

I had my Kia Sportage (61) MOT'd at the beginning of the month and did not take much notice of the paperwork as it passed.

I knew my rear brake discs and pads needed doing so had that done at my local Kia dealership last week. (MOT was done by a different garage)

To cut a long story short I went to check my MOT paperwork this weekend and saw the advisory below:
"Service brake imbalance requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. Rear (1.2.1(b)(i))

Because this is a braking issue I'm obviously concerned especially as I drive 40 miles a day to and from work. Would the replacement pads and discs have solved the problem?

Or do I need to take it back for investigation. I just don't want to be taken advantage because I don't really know much about cars

[Scrump]

The rear brake imbalance was probably caused by discs and pads which needed replacement.
I cannot say for sure but I would be confident that the new parts have fixed the issue.

[MG CHRIS]

Did you have the brakes done after the mot then that be perfectly fine. Mot standards are extremely low and to fail on brake imbalance takes a lot. its down to tester if he/she wants to put an advisory to inform the owner or to cover themselves.

[Anneke2013]

Thanks for the advice. I'm thinking me having the brakes and pads replaced has probably fixed the problem. I'm sure the dealership would have tested the brakes once replaced.

We'll see if I crash into a roundabout I probably know I should've taken it back

[gazza285]

Does it have a load compensator? I had one fail on an old Pug I had, and it left the bias way out, the rears would lock way before the fronts.

[steveo3002]

isnt service brake the handbrake ?

[Hol]

steveo3002 said:

isnt service brake the handbrake ?

Yes, its deliberately called a service brake as it isn't always activated by a hand.

[steveo3002]

yeah ok so does it hold ok on a hill or creaking like it not on properly?

[Anneke2013]

steveo3002 said:

yeah ok so does it hold ok on a hill or creaking like it not on properly?

I've had no problems with it and it's not creaking either. Does this mean my brakes are OK but not my handbrake?

As I can live without a handbrake, hardly ever use it. Obviously only when parking

[steveo3002]

it suggested the handbrake was borderline and might want looking at , if youve sinse had the rears worked on you would assume the garage adjusted /made sure it was working as it should

[Anneke2013]

steveo3002 said:

it suggested the handbrake was borderline and might want looking at , if youve sinse had the rears worked on you would assume the garage adjusted /made sure it was working as it should

That's my thinking. Surely if they replace pads and brakes they would check it's in working order.

Thanks for the help

[paintman]

steveo3002 said:

isnt service brake the handbrake ?

No.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mot-inspection-manual-...

The imbalance MAY have been cured by the new discs & pads.
OR it could be a defective caliper or brake hose.
Only way to be sure is another run on a rolling brake tester - you might want to check with the garage that did the replacement work for their advice as to what they found.

[Anneke2013]

paintman said:

No.
Only way to be sure is another run on a rolling brake tester - you might want to check with the garage that did the replacement work for their advice as to what they found.

Thanks for the link. I did try and google but found nothing yesterday.

I will phone the dealership and ask them to do the rolling brake test because the garage that did the MOT is not great, I only use them in emergency's but I always feel they're as likely to break something as fix it

[steveo3002]

if you trust the garage that fitted new rear discs and pads consider it done , they would have to be shocking to fit new parts and send it out without the handbrake working , the fact it holds on hills with no creaking etc confirms its good

[Anneke2013]

Thanks for that Steveo3002 - I do trust the dealership. They are really good at what they do although a bit pricey. But I guess you sometimes pay for what you get

[paintman]

steveo3002 said:

if you trust the garage that fitted new rear discs and pads consider it done , they would have to be shocking to fit new parts and send it out without the handbrake working , the fact it holds on hills with no creaking etc confirms its good

The service brake is not the handbrake. (ETA It's the bit that works when you press the brake pedal.)
The handbrake is either the 'secondary brake' or 'the parking brake'.
All in the link.

Edited by paintman on Tuesday 4th February 10:34

[stevieturbo]

Anneke2013 said:

I had my Kia Sportage (61) MOT'd at the beginning of the month and did not take much notice of the paperwork as it passed.

I knew my rear brake discs and pads needed doing so had that done at my local Kia dealership last week. (MOT was done by a different garage)

To cut a long story short I went to check my MOT paperwork this weekend and saw the advisory below:
"Service brake imbalance requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. Rear (1.2.1(b)(i))

Because this is a braking issue I'm obviously concerned especially as I drive 40 miles a day to and from work. Would the replacement pads and discs have solved the problem?

Or do I need to take it back for investigation. I just don't want to be taken advantage because I don't really know much about cars

And a printout showing the imbalance ?

[Anneke2013]

stevieturbo said:

And a printout showing the imbalance ?

No, I just had a copy of what I paid for and the advisory notes on the MOT

[stevieturbo]

So they claim there is an imbalance, but they cannot show you any evidence of that imbalance to do anything about it ?

Rather odd.

[E-bmw]

As a failure, I would expect either the numbers or a printout, not sure if I have ever seen a printout for an advisory.