I've got a 2 year old, 10k miles, 1.2 SE and have noticed that the handbrake doesn't release like it used to. After pressing the button in you have to push the lever down as if it's stiff. I'm pretty sure it wasn't like this when new and all cars I've ever owned before have dropped of their own accord. Any thoughts?

Mine's been like that from new.  Bit stiff to pull on and needs to be pushed down, as you describe.  Mines done about the same miles as yours and is a 1.2 SE.

It might possibly be the plastic dust shield that moves with the lever.

 

It gets stiff on mine, so I lube it with some plastic shiney stuff? used for cleaning plastic interior trim - seems to work for ages.

As Yety states you can get issues with sliding cover sticking or wearing in it's tracks; one or two owners have brought this issue up in the past. If not this then possibly an issue with the cable/linkage at the caliper, which might need checking with your service dealer.

 

 

Regards,

 

TP

My first Yeti suffered from the sliding cover sticking.  It doesn't stop the handbrake from going on or off, but if it bothers you (it did me) you can get it fixed quickly under warranty.

The handbrake cover was the only that needed doing under warranty for my yeti in three years,oh! apart from the white wormed rear badge(which has gone again!)

Ours has just started doing this.  Almost as soon as the 3 year warranty had just expired! 24000miles.

Mine is like that but can't remember if it was like that from new. Would not have noticed it if I had not read this thread.