Handbrake "failure"

Adding to here also as larger number of people with issue.

Had the same issue August 2026, ordered new button from skoda parts direct £20 (now asking £40 ?). Dealer wanted £44, so aware of problem and said they had not had to replace whole hand brake only replace button. I had read all posts, so not sure new button would work, but knew to pull control rod out to get ratchet to work.

Guess what, yep failed, on a hill in the dark in slow moving traffic Sept 2026. Did not actually see button go when released the hand brake, doing multiple stop and move on, up hill. Reached down to pull brake and felt no button (dont press on pulling). I pulled the control rod out and pulled the handbrake at same time. Wife put hazards on for me and we had to let traffic pass, before trying to move off. Reported as safety issue to central skoda, clearly other manufacturers recalled on similar issue e.g VW T5.

Dealer charged £115 investigation fee for known issue, plus £440 (£249 + vat for whole hand brake) to fix, two bits of plastic failing. Skoda parts, which is Skoda, £191, but dealer has to use TPS. Like other gent, needed car fixed quickly. I've raised safety issue with DVSC. All need to do this. Some customers get lucky with new button. But it's an un safe design. We found button and spring in back of car. Dealer said car was unroad worthy...so clearly unsafe.

I would have gone small claims, but apparently got to go ombudsmen, they have it sawn up, apparently its dealer not manufacture if wear and tear, but it's a issue with the design in my mind.

oh and I've done less that 58k...so less than original warranty distance.

Since found

 The parts catalogues show:

Clearly issue with pre Aug 2015 handbrakes.

Those that had issue, was your Octavia built pre August 2015. Can any one who had issue post Aug 2015 build post please, so that I can discount it.

Mine was registered Jan 2015.

But also found skoda technical documents

I found a Škoda Technical Service/Training presentation, API 11/2014, covering Octavia III running-gear faults. It has a specific entry:

“Octavia III – Hand brake lever cannot be locked”

It records:

The actual Škoda technical evidence

• Symptom: button released and spring fell out

• Result: handbrake locking mechanism does not work; lever returns to “brake not applied”

• Cause: locking mechanism with spring damaged and button fell out

• Repair: replace the handbrake lever

• Production measure: “Introducing a fixture to fit the locking mechanism at the manufacturer in CW14/2014.

So in 2014 Skoda shipped cars with knowledge that the brake button could come off, and did not recall. I suspect maybe CW14 was to handle the leather sleave carefully when installing, as maybe over use/damage could allow spring and pawl to release. Very dangerous.

Note I had started parking car on sloping drive this year....