Jammed caliper on a Passat

My VW Passat wouldn't move due to 'parking brake fault' and had to tow it to authorised VW dealer (Peter Cooper) as normal garages were not able to decipher the error code using their devices. I could...

Electric parking brakes make me uneasy - are they as effective as a handbrake?

I have been looking at the latest Vauxhall cars and to my astonishment they have no handbrake, only a button. To me this is extremely dangerous as I rely on having a handbrake in case of an emergency....

Should I buy a Meriva B or Mercedes-Benz B-Class with a push-button handbrake?

I have driven a Vauxhall Meriva since 2005 and have been contemplating a change, perhaps to a Meriva B or possibly a Mercedes B-Class. These both have push button parking brakes. Am I being foolishly old...

Why an electric parking brake?

We have a 56 reg Passat TDI 140. It's been a really good car for the four-plus years we have had it. Spending money on wear and tear is fine and the £1000 or so spent last year on a service, cambelt change,...

Why do drivers of automatic cars blind drivers behind those behind them?

There is one thing that automatic cars and ordinary cars have in common. They both have handbrakes, but I suggest that automatic cars drivers using two feet forget this at temporary stops. I sat behind...

My 2005 Volkswagen Passat is suffering lots of faults - are they notoriously unreliable?

In February 2009 I bought a 2005 55 Volkswagen Passat Estate 2.0TDI SE from a dealer with 70,000 miles on the clock. I do about 20-25,000 miles a year and I thought this would be a great car, but I have...

My Renault Scenic's parking brake has failed - is this common?

My Renault Scenic recently had an issue where the handbrake cut in and would not allow the car to move. After contacting the dealer we were told to drive it backwards and forwards, as this would release...

Which automatic cars are fitted with an electric handbrake?

My wife needs to replace her Peugeot 206 automatic. It suits her because, due to arthritis, she is unable to press the button on the gear lever used to unlock the park mode. Instead, the brake pedal has...

What's your view on electric parking brakes?

I have been reading the forum items on electric parking brakes and some people are very much against them. Have you got a view?

Is it normal for the Renault Scenic's electric parking brake to fail after 70,000 miles?

I purchased a Renault Grand Scenic four years ago when it was nearly new. I did lots of research, noted your comments, and still have the copy of your test report. We have enjoyed plenty of both UK and...