Hi,
I own a Testing Station and have a 1919 Lagonda with the footbrake on the propshaft, and a fly off handbrake on the rear wheels only with metal shoes on metal drums which we Test every year. I insist my Testers carry out a thorough Test - last year it failed on a loose front wheel bearing.
Every year we use the tapley meter to check the brakes. All you have to do is to drive the vehicle at about 5-10mph and then apply the footbrake first - which is totally effective. Then do the same with the hanbrake - which is also effective. It is not necessary to drive an any higher speed.
In fact the brake on the transmission is not very good in use as it fades very quickly if operated, for example, when travelling downhill. And the hanbrake is not at all for use while the vehicle is in motion as the metal to metal contact causes the whole backplate assembly to get very hot which in turn is likely to damage the axle oil seals. Simply stated the vehicle has to be driven with great care and braking carried out early in anticipation of stopping. Emergency stops are quite a nerve racking process. Yet the condition of the system is as good as it was when the vehicle left the factory in Staines in 1919.
This is by the very nature of the design. However, for the MOT Test provided the reading on the Tapley meter is acceptable and the condition of the system is acceptable when inspected, then it is an MOT pass.
it has to pass a brake test of some sort.no car exists that cannot be tapley tested at the very least.all vehicles decelerate when you press(or pull at that age)the relevant brake mechanism.your hardest job will be operating the relevant(and possibly external)controls whilst you try to drive an unfamiliar vehicle with seperate controls for timing/mixture/gearchange etc.get the vehicle presenter to drive whilst you do your job.he drove it in your garage and as such shud be cabable of working service/parking brakes when requested.dont expect miracles,if the brakes do anything at all its a bonus!there is a section in the manual about pre 1905 vehicle handbrakes,yes i have tested them!at that age the relevant brake mechanisms differ widely in both control+application.the only thing they have in common is that they are designed to slow it down.the owner has more experience in this than you,why not let him do the hard work?
