Braking systems involve various elements working together to help you to stop and manoeuvre your vehicle in a controlled manner. The key elements of your vehicle braking system are master cylinder, servo, brake calipers, brake fluid and cylinders, disks, drums, pads and shoes. All the elements are linked by a series of brake hoses and brake pipes containing brake fluid, so when you press your brake pedal the car slows down and stops. The rate at which your brakes slow the vehicle speed is determined by the amount and duration of foot pressure is applied to your brake pedal, and of course your braking system’s condition.

Brakes are in use more often when driving around town than on a motorway journey, not forgetting that you may need to use your brakes to stop your vehicle quickly in an emergency. So keeping an effective vehicle braking system is a main priority for every driver.

Regular brake checks are an important part of any vehicle preventative maintenance plan. Brake checks can identify a problem before it begins to affect your braking efficiency, this providing an opportunity to restore the effectiveness of your vehicle’s braking system to its intended operating performance. The effects of a sudden brake failure can be devastating and in the event of an accident attributed to faulty brakes, the results of not maintaining an effective braking system could result in prosecution. Your vehicle will also fail its MoT test if braking efficiency is below specification.

The performance of your vehicle’s braking system is tested on a rolling road to measure the amount of braking force generated while operating the hand and foot brake. The braking force generated is then recorded and compared to the manufacturer’s specified tolerance level. Any reading or imbalance falling outside these tolerance levels will result in an MOT test failure.

As best practice for people who cover average or greater than average annual mileage and for normal coverage motorists, Cars2 recommend that a vehicle’s braking system is checked at least twice a year.