I have owned a 2019 SEAT Mii from new, but after around 6 months began to notice issues with the rear brakes sticking.

 

This was especially noticeable if the car was driven in wet weather and on occasion was so bad the car would drag it's rear wheels before the brakes released with a loud bang.  I did try to reverse before setting off, but this didn't release the brakes either.

 

I read a variety of posts, both here and on the VW Up! forum and mentioned it to 2 separate servicing main dealers.

 

The main dealer who conducted the first service told me they could not replicate the fault and the last time it was in (for it's second service) I was told this is a 'characteristic of the car' and I would need to have the rear brakes 'maintained' and / or replaced (before it had covered 20000 miles / was 2 years old!!).

 

A local mechanic stripped down, cleaned up and lubricated the brake mechanism on two occasions, but the problem recurred within a few weeks.

 

A good friend (who works for a main dealer) told me he'd come across the problem many times and recommended I had none OEM rear brake shoes fitted. 

 

These were fitted several weeks ago and despite lots of heavy rain there has been no recurrence.

 

One last thing - the Citigo / Up! / Mii is an astonishingly competent vehicle, which I thoroughly enjoy driving

Edited 5 February, 20224 yr by pinkpanther

The problem is the pivot on the lever arm that the handbrake cable operates. It corrodes between the shoe plate it is mounted on and the lever and cant be cleaned or lubricated effectively in situ so will start sticking even after best efforts to free it.

 

Best solution is to replace the shoes as you have found.  Note the same issue applies to all models fitted with drum brakes. e.g. fabia, rapid etc

 

Thanks for confirming.

Note that cleaning out the rear drums, is not on the service schedule at the dealership. So they may inspect the brakes but that's all you get unless you ask for more work to be done, which is chargeable.