Handbrake problems - several fixes by garage does not seem to fix problem

[YC]

I am not technical where cars are concerned....learning fast.

I have had various problems with my handbrake - highlighted by MOT advisory & failures over several years. Each time adjustments were made to get it to pass MOT. Between Jul and Dec 2019 I had 2 new handbrake cables, 2 new callipers and 2 new front axle coil springs and struts replaced.

In Aug 2020 it failed MOT & the cable needed to be reset on the offside.

In Jul 2021 MOT advisory - parking brake grabbing slightly offside rear.

Garage in Aspley had good reviews, RAC approved garage, guarantees of customer satisfaction etc so I took car to them to have it properly fixed, once and for all before MOT Jul 2022

On 16 May 2022 they replaced the OSF coil spring.
On 30 Jun 2022 failed MOT - parking brake inoperative on one side, OSR and excessive smoke from exhaust.

As they were not able to fit a new engine a garage in Bradford fitted the engine and adusted the handbrake. This garage also fitted a new rear sub frame which was clearly very rusty & in a dangerous condition (shown on video by garage but not picked up in MOT)

On 18 Jul 2023, failed MOT - parking on a single line braking system has inadequate effort OSR
On 26 Jul 2023 they replaced the OSR handbrake cable (as stated on the invoice).

In Jan 2024 handbrake needed max effort to stop it rolling down hill (I live on a hill)
On 22 Jan 2024 they replaced the OSR handbrake cable - apparently cable replaced on 26 Jul 2023 was NSR (said it was a description error - as part nos are different)

On 27 Jun 2024 when again handbrake needed max effort to stop it rolling down hill they said calliper was broken and they fitted a new OSR calliper & part bleed brake system. When I checked the handbrake it was in the same position as I left it (needed max effort to work - it was parked on an incline). When I complained they took car back into garage and half an hr later it was a lot better (can't tell if working at max capacity)

I do not know what this garage had done to my car, whether all this work was necessary & whether handbrake was fixed properly & with Toyota compatible components. Also whether replacing 1 calliper will cause the brakes to be misaligned.

Since May 2022 I spent in excess of £800 & am not confident handbrake fixed properly. MOT due 20 Aug 2024.

Does anyone know where I can have an independent comprehensive assessment of my handbrake and produce a report which I can use to claim money back so I can pay someone else to fix it properly.

What are my rights where consumer law is concerned.

Any other advice would be appreciated.

[Carolyn]

Wow.  You Have been taken for a ride.

@mr2garageswindon is a member on here and he really knows his way around these cars, especially the brakes.

He's very helpful.

Swindon is not tooo far from where you are??

[Gaz mr-s]

Probably not applicable in this case, but the Toyota cables fail because the rubber gaiter on the rear end perishes & allows water & grit to work downwards from the highest point.  Nowadays there's a fix, but unless the owner has a been a keen diy-er the cables will be allowed to fail.

Genuine Toyota handbrake cables seem to be better than any other, but are pricey.
Some people have aftermarket cables on that do work, but some say don't touch anything other than O/E.

The calipers are also a lousy design.  I've read that re-con calipers from Big Redd are ok.

If you don't know, the handbrake is the most common MOT failure of these cars.
 

[mr2garageswindon]

Genuine cables or no cables is how we do it. No point in messing about, they will last 15 to 20 years.
Some have used aftermarket with some success.
We have seen some refurbished calipers that just dont work properly.
Bigg red calipers have so far all been good.
Most problems arise from improper set up of the cables and the pad nipples MUST be in the caliper slots on the pistons.
ONLY adjust the cable to take up the free play (Do not tighten so lever on caliper is allowed to come away from the stop).
Parking brake travel on these are supposed to be a bit long.

[YC]

Swindon is a very long way from where I live. I live in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire.

"Parking brake travel...supposed to be a bit long". Can you pls explain. I am not technical.

Is it worth having my handbrake checked to see if it had been properly fitted...so I can try & claim some of the costs & use it to fund a proper fix.

If so can you please
recommend someone nearby.

[Gibla]

Swindon is a very long way from where I live.

tbf @YC

If ever I need detailed work requiring technical expertise I travel that distance and further, from where I live in deepest darkest Mid-Wales.
So.....my advice is travel to a specialist(however far) if you cannot get a local keen amateur enthusiast to come to help you

[Gaz mr-s]

I think trying to get recompense for the failed work would be near-impossible.  You could try a 'help' post for a member near you.

It's not rocket science though.  Two basic requirements,- if each caliper lever is pulled, will it lock a wheel so that it can't be turned. A piece of pipe or a deep socket over the lever. And two pairs of hands.  If they don't lock, new calipers.

If calipers are ok, will the pull-length of the cable be enough to pull the lever the distance it moved with a pipe on it?

If not, are the cables O/E Toyota? 

[mr2garageswindon]

If you have 3 to 4 clicks on the parking brake it is incorrectly adjusted or has a fault.
If parking on a hill it is recommended to push the foot brake on hard before pulling parking brake.
It will hold firmer (In the owners manual I believe).

[YC]

If you have 3 to 4 clicks on the parking brake it is incorrectly adjusted or has a fault.
If parking on a hill it is recommended to push the foot brake on hard before pulling parking brake.
It will hold firmer (In the owners manual I believe).

Are you based in Castle Eaton?

[Ardent]

If parking on a hill it is recommended to push the foot brake on hard before pulling parking brake.
It will hold firmer (In the owners manual I believe).

Correct.

[Chilli Girl]

Are you based in Castle Eaton?

Yes he is and I can wholly recommend him.

[Joesson]

In agreeing with the above and in particular with @Carolyn I would add that my understanding and certainly my practice is to repeat any process on each side of a vehicle.
I do hope that your reference to the handbrake not holding on a hill does not mean that you solely rely on the brake. Habitually I leave my cars in gear and on a hill turn the steering wheel so that if the car did move it would run into the kerb.

[Carolyn]

I would say you have two good causes of action in County Court (Money Claim Online).  One is breach of contract, i.e. not performing an effective repair and the second is a breach of your rights under the Consumer Protection Act.  Goods and services should be of reasonable quality and fit for purpose.

Once it gets fixed properly, you automatically can make the case that the previous repairs were substandard. 

I'm sure the businesses in question will not wish to lose a judgement and they will probably settle on receipt of the paperwork from the Court.  If not, you can ask the court to enforce the judgement.  They will have to pay your costs.

[YC]

In agreeing with the above and in particular with @Carolyn I would add that my understanding and certainly my practice is to repeat any process on each side of a vehicle.
I do hope that your reference to the handbrake not holding on a hill does not mean that you solely rely on the brake. Habitually I leave my cars in gear and on a hill turn the steering wheel so that if the car did move it would run into the kerb.

I do put it in gear & turn the steering wheel.

[YC]

I would say you have two good causes of action in County Court (Money Claim Online).  One is breach of contract, i.e. not performing an effective repair and the second is a breach of your rights under the Consumer Protection Act.  Goods and services should be of reasonable quality and fit for purpose.

Once it gets fixed properly, you automatically can make the case that the previous repairs were substandard. 

Thank you everyone for posting such a lot of useful advice.

I expect you will need some form of document/ report which details substandard repairs and what remedial action was taken to put it right. If this was done by the garage who did the repair would it be accepted by court.

[Carolyn]

Thank you everyone for posting such a lot of useful advice.

I expect you will need some form of document/ report which details substandard repairs and what remedial action was taken to put it right. If this was done by the garage who did the repair would it be accepted by court.

You just include it as part of your evidence to the Court. It will be taken into consideration.

[paulj]

I would say you have two good causes of action in County Court (Money Claim Online).  One is breach of contract, i.e. not performing an effective repair and the second is a breach of your rights under the Consumer Protection Act.  Goods and services should be of reasonable quality and fit for purpose.

@YC if you took out legal cover with your car insurance there should be a legal helpline that you can call for this sort of thing....

[normanh]

If the cables are fitted incorrectly as they are handed to nearside and offside its unlikely the handbrake will ever work correctly. They are coded red and blue, I cant remember which goes where but its important!

Norman

[mr2garageswindon]

If your parking brake travel appears a little long and not to effective... Start the car lower park brake and pump the crap hard outta the brake pedal... I do mean really hard 4 or 5 times then see how the parking brake travel reduces and effectiveness improves.
A lot of owners are already aware of this but if you are new to these cars you may not know..