I'd appreciate a quick bit of advice here; I've a distinct feeling of having been encouraged into unnecessary repairs, but don't know enough to be sure and don't want to needlessly think bad of the garage.

My Rover 25 recently failed the mot on handbrake efficiency.

My view is that the first step to fix this is to adjust the handbrake - on the basis that if the car passed the footbrake tests the pads/discs are probably ok.

Instead, I'm told 'Might be pads, discs, calipers...'

So, I ask them to have a look.
'Needs new rear pads, these are glazed and crumbly' says the bloke in the overalls.
'Hhhmmm... whatever, do it' says me - wanting to get home.

I know that the rear brakes had been binding and gotten hot - a problem I'd had fixed (elsewhere) a few weeks ago by a calliper strip/lube, and since then the handbrake has been excellent.

And yes, on inspection, the pads are indeed glazed and crumbly (around the edge) but have plenty of depth - so I'm mystified why that'd affect the handbrake test. Surely it'd also affect the rear-wheel braking?

Having fitted new pads, the bloke in the overalls then adjusts the cable. 'Why didn't he just do that first?' thinks me.

Am I simply being unduly cynical?

Other than that, the service was ok. I didn't want a fuss, and I don't know enough to be certain. But right now, I'm not so likely to return - which may be unfair on them, and hence I'd like to be sure.

Yes, the pads were less than brilliant and would have needed changing at some point - it's simply that I'm unsure the work was necessary right now and I could have done without the extra £80 expense.