Brakes pulling or uneven (imbalance)
How it can appear on an MOT certificate
- “Brakes imbalance across an axle”
- “Service brake efficiency below requirements”
What it is
At the MOT, a roller tester measures how hard each wheel brakes. An imbalance means one side brakes noticeably harder than the other on the same axle.
Why it matters
Uneven braking can pull the car to one side when you brake hard, which is a loss-of-control risk. It can come from a sticking caliper, contaminated pads or a fault in the hydraulics.
What to check when viewing a car
On a straight, quiet road, brake firmly and see whether the car pulls. Ask what was done to fix it if this appeared on an earlier MOT.
Has the car you're looking at had this before?
Free: every MOT, every defect explained in plain English, mileage, tax and ULEZ.
What the MOT categories mean
- Dangerous
- A direct and immediate risk to road safety, or a serious impact on the environment. The car fails and shouldn't be driven until it's repaired.
- Major
- It may affect the car's safety, put other road users at risk or harm the environment. The car fails and should be repaired straight away.
- Minor
- No significant effect on safety or the environment. The car passes, but it should be repaired as soon as possible.
- Advisory
- Something to keep an eye on that could need repairing in future. The car passes.
Related: brakes
- Brake pads wearing thin
- Brake discs worn, pitted or scored
- Brake pipe corroded
- Brake hose damaged or deteriorated
- Parking brake (handbrake) not working well enough
- Brake fluid leak
Buying a used car?
General information about this type of MOT defect, not advice about a particular car. How serious it is depends on the car; have any car you're buying inspected by a qualified mechanic.