Anyone heard of the handbrake curtain(thing that covers up handbrake gap in armrest when brake is released or set) failing ? Result an MOT failure!

This happened to me. Found handbrake a bit stiff to release. The car went in for MOT/service and failed because curtain had collapsed and handbrake could not be released fully. Rear brakes were consequently binding a little but not noticeably.

Apparently it's quite common fault on the Octavia!

I intend to raise with Skoda UK and see what they say.

Remove the curtain if that's interfering with the handbrake operation.  It doesn't have to be there.

 

What do you expect Skoda UK to say... "sorry sir, you need to buy a new one, do you want the address of your nearest dealer?"

 

Manufacturers won't do anything off their own back unless it is a significant fault worthy of a recall (i.e cost to replace part is cheaper than lawsuits that will arrive).  Toyota brakes come to mind here.

I have bought a new one! I had too to pass the MOT.

 

My point is that the failure of this part caused the vehicle to to fail the MOT. 

 

And I dont expect Skoda to say  "sorry sir, you need to buy a new one, do you want the address of your nearest dealer?"!!

Okay they may not do anything but I think its worth drawing the matter to their attention and by the way thanks for your cynical advice!

If its the rubber flat ribbon that moves up and down with the handbrake, I had a problem with mine starting to stick.

Easy fix - get some silicone spray (back to black, dash shine etc) and preferably with a spray tube, scoot some between the top surface of the ribbon and the handbrake surround. Work the handbrake up and down gently. It should start to loosen off.

Mine loosened off within a few minutes but after it was left overnight it was like new, in fact better than new. That was months ago and not had a problem since.

Edited 7 February, 201412 yr by FatblokeVRS

If its the rubber flat ribbon that moves up and down with the handbrake, I had a problem with mine starting to stick.

Easy fix - get some silicone spray (back to black, dash shine etc) and preferably with a spray tube, scoot some between the top surface of the ribbon and the handbrake surround. Work the handbrake up and down gently. It should start to loosen off.

Mine loosened off within a few minutes but after it was left overnight it was like new, in fact better than new. That was months ago and not had a problem since.

Many thanks. I had to have a new one fitted or it would have failed the MOT! But I will keep it lubricated as you suggest. The boot cover is also a bit stiff so I'll try what you suggest on that as well.

Like you say it's a common fault on older Octavia's, Skoda UK know all about it but as the fault often occurs well out of warranty they don't care about fixing it.

^{Mine's been busted for a few years.  The cost an arm & a leg down here.}

 

^{What's the price for the part in the UK?}

I've failed a few Fabias on that.  I saw one Fabia where the lever had been pulled completely out of the floor along with the metal work that it was attached to.

I had this issue whilst mine was under warranty so was replaced FoC. As soon as I explained the issue to the Service rep at the garage he knew the issue... 

 

there is a few threads on here about this...

^{Mine's been busted for a few years. The cost an arm & a leg down here.}

^{What's the price for the part in the UK?}

Just ordered one for £23.99 on eBay from Rainworth Skoda.

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=321149264689

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I have just cut the rubber part off so handbrake now works perfectly without the slider around it but had to replace rear brake pads as they were worn from handbrake not releasing properly. I hope the removal of just the rubber slider won't cause a fail as it all works perfectly without it.

Mine has snapped in two, seeing a hole and rusty handbrake has been bugging me.

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Just ordered one for £23.99 on eBay from Rainworth Skoda.

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=321149264689

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Thanks very much for the link

 

good price but the postage kills it.  GBP55 says to me they aren't really all that keen on doing international transactions

Mine has snapped in two, seeing a hole and rusty handbrake has been bugging me.

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Same car, same fault, just noticed this morning!

Ours split in two shortly after buying the car last year.

 

They replaced it FOC under the extended warranty.

 

Phil

They seem to fail quite a lot. Mine creased and therefore made it very stiff to get the handbrake off. It's not a expensive part to buy (~£15 from skodaparts) it is a bit of a PITA to change though, not difficult just takes a little while (well it took me a little while). I is one of those jobs where you'll get shafted for labour at the garage though. 

 

A little silicone spray from time to time keeps it moving freely. 

They seem to fail quite a lot. Mine creased and therefore made it very stiff to get the handbrake off. It's not a expensive part to buy (~£15 from skodaparts) it is a bit of a PITA to change though, not difficult just takes a little while (well it took me a little while). I is one of those jobs where you'll get shafted for labour at the garage though.

A little silicone spray from time to time keeps it moving freely.

Took me a while too, trying to find all the bolts holding it on was a pain there are at least four hidden behind the trim on the sides.

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Took mine to local skoda garage last week as warranty runs out in june and has this problem(crease) dealer has said it may not be covered as part is considered trim. Still waiting for an official response from the garage.

Took mine to local skoda garage last week as warranty runs out in june and has this problem(crease) dealer has said it may not be covered as part is considered trim. Still waiting for an official response from the garage.

Was repaired under warranty took approx. 2 hours. Glad it failed just now only had 3 months warranty left.

Took mine to local skoda garage last week as warranty runs out in june and has this problem(crease) dealer has said it may not be covered as part is considered trim. Still waiting for an official response from the garage.

Trim shouldn't immediately make something a non-warranty issue.

The piece of trim on the top of my gear stick had started to come away at the edge (the trim with the "legend on showing where each gear is) - left quite a sharp edge to start with which I managed to get a small cut from.

Took my car in for it's first MOT earlier this week and pointed it out, TPI? soon found and the part ordered for a warranty replacement.

Ours was done under warranty.

Don't let them fob you off. Although it is technically trim it also forms part of the handbrake and as we've seen above will not pass an MOT if its damaged.

Phil

Ours was done under warranty.

Don't let them fob you off. Although it is technically trim it also forms part of the handbrake and as we've seen above will not pass an MOT if its damaged.

Phil

Was done under warranty took about 2 hours. Although no courtesy car or transport to/from dealer was a bit of a let down.