Electric parking brakes make me uneasy - are they as effective as a handbrake?

I have been looking at the latest Vauxhall cars and to my astonishment they have no handbrake, only a button. To me this is extremely dangerous as I rely on having a handbrake in case of an emergency....

Squeaking front brakes on a Honda Civic

Have owned a Honda Civic 2006 1.8 SE i-VTEC for 6 months after purchasing it from a local garage. We've been really happy to date but recently the front brakes have started to squeak (v. high pitched)...

New tyres affecting steering

I have a MINI Cooper S with Dunlop SP Sport 01 tyres (run flat) on. I had the o/s/r changed for new as I had a puncture. The n/s/r is part worn with around 3-4mm left on it, whilst the 2 fronts have...

Should I have the brake fluid changed in my Honda Jazz?

I recently had an intermediate service of my four-year-old 15,000 mile Honda Jazz. The workshop said that as it was so low mileage, an intermediate was appropriate. It was suggested at my next service...

Why are the rear brake discs on my Renault Koleos wearing faster than the fronts?

I run a Renault Koleos Privilege 150, and a cracking car it is. I can't think why they stopped selling it. It recently went for its first MoT and I was surprised to be told that the rear brake pads needed...

Handbrake seized

Can adjusting the handbrake cause the rear calipers to seize? The reason i'm asking is that I had the handbrake adjusted on my MR2 and I was told the brakes were okay, then a week later after not driving...

Warranty on a Skoda

Purchased car in October 2011 in eary Feb with about 1800 miles on the clock noticed a slight judder - thought it was a poor road surface, after it happpened several times had tyres/tracking checked all...

Why are my Citroen Xsara's brake discs wearing faster than the pads?

I have a 2009 Citroen Xsara Picasso (1.6i petrol) and recently took it for its second service. The dealer has informed me that the brake discs are worn and need replacing even though the original brake...

Why did VOSA take my boat trailer off the road after temperature-checking the brakes?

A reader recently wrote of the ridiculously heavy-handed way some VOSA inspectors check on MoT stations. Your readers might be interested in how the VOSA checks boat trailers. In July this year I was pulled...

What is causing '50p tyre syndrome' on my Ford C-Max?

My Ford C-Max 1.6 TDCI CVT auto has developed a droning noise from the rear axle. It’s been in my local garage twice because I suspected a bearing had gone, but all front and rear bearings are sound and...