How Much Does A Handbrake (Parking Brake) Cable Replacement Cost in the UK?

Handbrakes are used to connect the handbrake lever inside the car to the brake calipers or shoes at the wheels, providing a mechanical link between the driver's input and the brakes. These cables are designed to withstand high levels of tension and must be regularly inspected for signs of damage or wear.

It is important to keep this cable in good condition, as any damage or wear can cause problems with braking.

How much does it cost to replace a parking brake cable?

The average cost of replacing a handbrake cable is £105, with prices ranging from £75 and £150. The exact price of the handbrake cable replacement depends largely on your car and the parts recommended by the manufacturer.

Your location can also be a key factor in determining the price of a handbrake cable replacement. For example, average hourly labour rates and demand in cities like London is around £50-£100 while in towns with lower demand, the labour rates can range from £35-£50. The type of mechanic, for example, a mobile mechanic vs a dealership garage technician can also affect the total cost of a handbrake cable replacement.

Average cost of a handbrake cable replacement by location

To avoid having car owners overpaying and get a fair price for a handbrake cable replacement, we use real-time data of thousands of car makes and model data, local labour prices for handbrake cable repairs and replacements and part prices to provide an instant fair quote. Simply enter your vehicle registration number and postcode to get an instant price for a handbrake cable replacement for your car.

Average cost of a handbrake cable replacement by manufacturer

Signs your handbrake (parking brake) cable needs to be replaced

• Handbrake doesn’t ‘hold’ when you engage it
• Excessive play or lever moves too easily, i.e you don’t feel any resistance
• Difficulty pulling the lever up
• Squealing sound as handbrake hasn’t disengaged fully
• Parking brake light on the dashboard even after it is disengaged

The handbrake does not hold the car when fully engaged

When the parking brake lever is pulled, it pulls on the cable and activates the rear brake calipers or brake shoes. The pulling of the lever or activating of the mechanism, puts pressure on them and locks them into place. This prevents the wheels from turning when parked, preventing any unintentional movement. With a faulty cable, this process is hampered and thus will not hold the car in place.

The handbrake lever is difficult to pull up or release

When the handbrake lever is hard to pull or release, it means either the brake cable needs adjustment or the brake components are worn and need replacing.

You experience excessive play in the handbrake lever when it is released

Excessive play in a handbrake lever means that there is too much slack or looseness in the lever. This can be caused by worn components within the handbrake system such as the handbrake cable. The excessive play can lead to poor braking performance.

Parking brake light comes on

This generally indicates that the parking brake has been engaged and needs to be released or adjusted. If the light is still on when the parking brake has been released, it could point toward a problem with the parking brake cable.

You hear an unusual noise when operating the handbrake, such as squeaking or grinding sounds

When you hear an unusual noise when operating the handbrake, such as squeaking or grinding sounds, it likely means that the handbrake is in need of repair or adjustment. The noise could also indicate that the cables or other components of the handbrake are worn or corroded.

Frequently asked questions about handbrake cable replacement cost

Is a broken handbrake cable an MOT failure?

Yes. A faulty handbrake cable is an immediate failure of an MOT test and must be repaired before the vehicle can be retested.

Is it safe to drive with bad parking brake cables?

No, it is not safe to drive with a faulty parking brake. The parking brake is designed to hold the car in place when parked and should always be in working order. If the parking brake cables are faulty, you may find it difficult or impossible to engage the parking brake and the brakes may not hold when parked. This can lead to serious safety issues, as your car could roll away when parked on a hill or slope.

How do you test a handbrake?

With plenty of space in front and the back of your car, on a flat surface, set your parking brake. Put the vehicle in gear and accelerate slightly. If your vehicle holds, then you should be ok. Normally, if it moves a couple of inches and then stops when you let off the pedal, you're fine. You may want to have the vehicle inspected if it continues to roll further than a few inches.

How long does a handbrake cable replacement take?

A handbrake cable replacement usually takes around 1.5 hours, but can take less or more time. Ultimately, the time that the job will take will depend on a number of factors, like your vehicle's make and model, year, as well as other factors. Select your car at the top of this page for information on job time and cost for your vehicle through ClickMechanic.

Can I carry out a handbrake cable replacement myself?

During the handbrake cable replacement, the vehicle needs to be lifted up to gain access to the underside of the vehicle. Replacing the cable requires knowledge of auto repair as well as mechanic’s tools such as jacks and axle stands, wheel chocks, wrenches and brake cleaners.
Unless you are a qualified mechanic with the required skills, training and equipment to do the job, we strongly recommend a handbrake cable replacement is only carried out by a professional mechanic. ClickMechanic can help get you a vetted and local mechanic to carry out the work. Just enter your postcode and your car's registration number at the top of this page and select the work needed to get an instant fixed price up front.

What else could be the problem if my handbrake cable isn’t broken?

If you’re experiencing similar symptoms but have ruled out handbrake cable as the cause then it could be any or more of the following:

• Brake caliper - damaged or sticking brake calipers may affect the handbrake’s performance
• Handbrake lever - in rare cases, there may be an issue with the actual lever
• Brake fluid - low brake fluid or contamination of the fluid may affect handbrake performance

What happens during a handbrake cable replacement?

• Mechanic will inspect the handbrake system.
• If necessary the handbrake cable will be replaced.
• Mechanic will calibrate the handbrake.
• Mechanic will test the handbrake.
• If necessary, the mechanic will make any adjustments.