Hoping someone can put my mind at rest here... new to Skoda, bought my Mk3 (2013) Octavia estate about 4 weeks ago and I've gradually been investigating what optional extras I have (none 🤣) what should work but doesn't, and what I don't need to worry about.

One thing concerning me a bit is that I don't have a lamp on the instrument cluster when the handbrake is on. Before I bought the car it had new discs and pads (and an MoT FWIW), and the handbrake has little travel. I don't know if that's relevant.

I do have a yellow warning triangle and a message saying a bulb is out, but I assumed that related to the exterior bulbs. Could it be pointing to the cluster bulb? Or is the issue more likely with the handbrake?

Thanks for any pointers.

I guess no Hand Brake / parking brake light. Why should there be?

Put your hand on the Hand Brake and know if it is applied or not.

On the MK2 all clusters include a handbrake on light. This is in addition to the warning message that appears should you pull away with the handbrake engaged on maxidot fitted clusters.

The switch for it is in the handbrake mechanism in the centre tunnel.

Probably the same on a MK3?

21 minutes ago, Evolution13 said:

Why should there be?

Because it's part of the standard equipment.

Best the OP finds where the fault is then & fixes it then if the Hand Brake is so poor it is not obvious it is still applied, even just a little.

Sounds like a bad handbrake switch

Revisiting my thread now that I've purchased a new switch. Can anyone point me to instructions for accessing / removing the centre tunnel please?