No handbrake - NCT dangerous fail?

ectoraige

We've an automatic handbrake which has been giving us some hassle in the last few weeks. The switch module has to be replaced as it is intermittently failing meaning we cannot engage it stopped in traffic. There's nothing wrong with the brake itself, it does engage automatically when the engine is shut off, and stays engaged at startup.

The NCT is coming up so I'm tempted to put the car in early to find any other issues and get it all sorted at once. However, am I at risk of being classed as a dangerous fail? If the warning comes up at the start will they proceed with the full test?

Some days it's all works fine, other days an alarm shows when you start the engine, and sometimes it is fine until you use the handbrake. It's not a major issue as I'll generally be in gear when stopped anyway, but I'm conscious of annoying the driver stopped behind me, and do need to get it sorted.

RustyNut

Why not just get it fixed?

Del2005

ectoraige wrote: »

Some days it's all works fine, other days an alarm shows when you start the engine, and sometimes it is fine until you use the handbrake. It's not a major issue as I'll generally be in gear when stopped anyway, but I'm conscious of annoying the driver stopped behind me, and do need to get it sorted.

What annoys the driver behind you?

ectoraige

RustyNut wrote: »

Why not just get it fixed?

I'm going to, but if I wait a week, I'll be able to put it through NCT first and fix anything that shows up too. I've given my mechanic enough money as it is!

ectoraige

Del2005 wrote: »

What annoys the driver behind you?

My brake-lights shining in their face.

Del2005

ectoraige wrote: »

My brake-lights shining in their face.

That doesn't annoy drivers behind. My last 2 cars are auto and both say to leave in gear and use the foot brake when stopped.

CiniO

I always use foot brake when in traffic.
In fact I actually almost never use handbrake in traffic - and very seldom when parked.

mickdw

I find brake lights continually shining in my face on a wet evening very annoying.
Add in 1 hr sitting in a tailback and I would be very appreciative to a driver who would keep foot off the brake as much as possible.

wonski

You don't have to stare at them...

Just look away or wear anti glare glasses or something.

Never was an issue for me tbh.

jim salter

Del2005 wrote: »

That doesn't annoy drivers behind. My last 2 cars are auto and both say to leave in gear and use the foot brake when stopped.

Then you're a díck and blind the drivers behind you, fúcking hate cúnts like you. Use the proper brake

Harcrid

In some cars with the Auto Hold feature, the brake lights will come on when stopped in traffic even if you don't have your foot on the brake so not a lot you can do about it in those cases.

wonski

jim salter wrote: »

Then you're a díck and blind the drivers behind you, fúcking hate cúnts like you. Use the proper brake

He is a ****, because he drives an auto???

Nice attitude BTW.

Del2005

jim salter wrote: »

Then you're a díck and blind the drivers behind you, fúcking hate cúnts like you. Use the proper brake

Every car I've been in can move when the parking brake is on, I've never been in a car which moves when the foot brake is pressed. I am using the correct brake:D

If brake lights are affecting you you need your eyes checked out.

grogi

CiniO wrote: »

I always use foot brake when in traffic.
In fact I actually almost never use handbrake in traffic - and very seldom when parked.

When hit from behind, your foot is very likely to slip from the brake and you'll hit car in front of you. Parking brake will stay engaged and might save you that trouble.

Plus parking brake that is used regularly is less prone to seizing.

ectoraige

Since the outrage seems to be over braking lights rather than me driving with a dodgy parking brake, should I AssUMe I'll just get a normal fail from the NCT centre, and not a dangerous fail?

CiniO

grogi wrote: »

When hit from behind, your foot is very likely to slip from the brake and you'll hit car in front of you. Parking brake will stay engaged and might save you that trouble.

Strongly doubt that.
I can't see a reason for foot slipping off foot brake when hit from behind.
And I also fail to see how parking brake (working on rear wheels only on most cars) can save you from hitting car in front.

Plus parking brake that is used regularly is less prone to seizing.

I do use it regularly. Just not in traffic or parking.

the_pen_turner

grogi wrote: »

When hit from behind, your foot is very likely to slip from the brake and you'll hit car in front of you. Parking brake will stay engaged and might save you that trouble.

Plus parking brake that is used regularly is less prone to seizing.

if your in an accident you want to increase the amount the car can move. the longer the impact the less violent it is. it mightn't make a lot of difference but it could

wonski

Can I pull it up without pressing the button, or is it too annoying noise for some

I am trying to be serious here, but seriously some drivers need to get their eyes checked and drive few more cars with different parking brake options.

If the glare from oncoming cars is giving you a headache, should they switch them off?

mickdw

Del2005 wrote: »

jim salter wrote: »

Then you're a díck and blind the drivers behind you, fúcking hate cúnts like you. Use the proper brake

Every car I've been in can move when the parking brake is on, I've never been in a car which moves when the foot brake is pressed. I am using the correct brake:D

If brake lights are affecting you you need your eyes checked out.

It's not a case of anyone needing eyes checked. For me, I was just making the point that in a prolonged tailback, after a long days work, sitting looking at brake lights specially on a wet dark evening can get pretty annoying. Would you be happy to sit looking at a rear fog light for a prolonged period?

endacl

jim salter wrote: »

Then you're a díck and blind the drivers behind you, fúcking hate cúnts like you. Use the proper brake

Agree, but in a milder form. Probably just not as far along the irritation spectrum...

Del2005

mickdw wrote: »

It's not a case of anyone needing eyes checked. For me, I was just making the point that in a prolonged tailback, after a long days work, sitting looking at brake lights specially on a wet dark evening can get pretty annoying. Would you be happy to sit looking at a rear fog light for a prolonged period?

I have sat behind cars with everything from no lights to cheap LEDs. The only ones that ever annoyed me where the cheap LEDs flickering from dodgy wiring, so I just looked at something else and was fine.

grogi

CiniO wrote: »

I do use it regularly. Just not in traffic or parking.

I see. Me likes.

ectoraige

ectoraige wrote: »

My brake-lights shining in their face.

When you derail your own thread. Sigh.

wonski

ectoraige wrote: »

When you derail your own thread. Sigh.

Well done you

Charles Babbage

Del2005 wrote: »

That doesn't annoy drivers behind. My last 2 cars are auto and both say to leave in gear and use the foot brake when stopped.

Of course it annoys the drivers behind, it just suits you.