Ahhhh.. seeing as my MY11 SD4 is rarely abused and routinely serviced, i was a little surprised it failed it's first MOT today because of the parking brake test.

The car was serviced 8 weeks ago by the Stratstones and on their traffic light report, parking brake was "Green". also the Rear Pads and Discs were showing 6mm (New = 10mm) on the report with 4mm remaining to use. I'm surprised that with just under 1000 miles done since then, mostly motorway miles, that it failed on this. On querying this, Stratstone said that the MOT tests were more stringent that their own traffic light reports. hmmmm.. which makes them almost worthless then i guess!

Needless to say, the dealer relieved me of over £500 (brake shoes, discs, pads) for the pleasure of getting it resolved and the car passed.

Seriously considering trading for a newer model if this is a sign of things to come

Just under 30,800 miles done on the clock. 11 SD4 HSE Stornoway Grey / Black Windsor Leather

Sorry to say that as most car owners today don't do there own maintenance so they are easy targets for making money. Its reasonable to expect that the mechanic and the service receptionist are most likely getting commissions on extra work that they can get authorised by the owner.
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Sorry to say but its a fact of life and is irrespective of what Main Dealer and what make car you drive. Your brakes are Ford spec anyway.
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A small local garage would have sorted just the handbrake, it probably was the floppy link inside the brake shoes that was seizing up, however the local man probably wouldn't be able to sort haldex and diff problems.
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Please don't let it be the reason for going away from the Freelie.
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Kind regards from Fred 2010GS Auto ex Celeb, Santorini Black, 2011 facelift , spoiler, spats, mudflaps, LED footwell lamps, Witter detach,
Other cars:-
1958 & 1959 Austin J40 Pedal Cars under restoration (I make many J40 parts)
If you have an Austin J40 or Pathfinder Pedal Car looking for a new home pls PM me.
2009 Meriva

Yup! Wish I was less cack-handed with all things mechanical! I could never trust a car where I know I've messed with the brakes
Hasn't turned me off the FL2 at all. In fact, having previously only really driven German or Japanese cars, I really like what LR are doing and to be honest I've had 18 months of trouble free motoring to date  11 SD4 HSE Stornoway Grey / Black Windsor Leather

Ah well if you had had a BMW or MINI they guarantee your car WILL always pass its first MOT or they will fix it for free

Just bought a six month old ex-demo: free MOTs for life (of course they expect a profit on the problems they find) .... but, more important, a warranty against fails on the first MOT. Which is unexpected, and nice  Current: 2013 SD4 XS
Gone: 2012 Defender 90 2.2 SW XS
Previous: Defender 110 TD5 SW
Previous: Defender 90 300Tdi HT

On inspection of the paperwork, it failed due to poor parking brake efficiency because of cracked brake shoes and worn discs on the inside. Guess they put this down to wear and tear....

Think I'll also treat the car to some new rubber as the scorpions are near the limit now.  11 SD4 HSE Stornoway Grey / Black Windsor Leather

I should check, but think extended MOT warranty covers discs ..... of course, if it does then the problem would, doubtless, be with the pads..... Current: 2013 SD4 XS
Gone: 2012 Defender 90 2.2 SW XS
Previous: Defender 110 TD5 SW
Previous: Defender 90 300Tdi HT

Always get my MOT's done at a place that does not normally do repairs. That way I get an honest MOT! 1998 300TDi Auto Disco, never to be forgotten.
2008 Auto TD4 Freelander2, now gone?
2013 Auto SD4 Freelander!
A proud member of Landytown.com
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No point having a 4x4 with worn rubber ..... can be very embarrassing. Current: 2013 SD4 XS
Gone: 2012 Defender 90 2.2 SW XS
Previous: Defender 110 TD5 SW
Previous: Defender 90 300Tdi HT

eek. Got mine going in for a 3 year service and MOT soon...hadn't even contemplated that it might not pass...thanks!  FL2 2011 SD4 XS in Galway Green

Me too... 3 year service and MOT before warranty expires.

Plan to keep the car for 2 more years so contemplating extending the warranty. There are choices - any experiences out there I can draw on? Thanks. ...

Be true to yourself. That way happiness lies...

JammyDodger wrote:

On inspection of the paperwork, it failed due to poor parking brake efficiency because of cracked brake shoes and worn discs on the inside. Guess they put this down to wear and tear....

Think I'll also treat the car to some new rubber as the scorpions are near the limit now.

I had asked that exact question, can't I just replace the shoes then if they're cracked? No...your discs are worn on the inside (anyone know what that actually means?!?!) and seeing as we're changing your discs we recommend that you have new pads too.




Did realise last night that on making it to 3 years old, I will start using a reputable indie now  11 SD4 HSE Stornoway Grey / Black Windsor Leather

Yanwoo wrote:

eek. Got mine going in for a 3 year service and MOT soon...hadn't even contemplated that it might not pass...thanks!

Are they saying the Drum section of the Discs are worn, if so the Hand Brake has been binding