Brakes

6-1 Service brake and park brake

1. Brake fluid in the master cylinder reservoir shows signs of dirt or contamination when the vehicle has been water damaged.

2. Any replacement used parts are outside the manufacturer’s wear limits or specifications.

3. The service brake pedal is insecure.

4. A brake pipe (including connections) is:

a) insecure, or

b) deformed from its original shape, or

c) corrosion damaged, for example there are signs of pitting or a noticeable increase in the pipe’s outside diameter, or

d) routed incorrectly, or

e) not supported in all the original manufacturer’s locations using supporting clamps and clips.

5. A brake calliper is insecure.

6. An ABS system component is damaged, insecure
or missing.

7. A brake disc or drum is fractured or otherwise damaged.

8. The ABS or brake system warning lamp or self-check system, if fitted, indicates a defect in the ABS or brake system.

9. A declaration stating that a full diagnostic check has been completed by the manufacturer, an approved representative, or a recognised technician where any part of the ABS system has been repaired, replaced or damaged is not available (Note 1).

10. A declaration stating that a full diagnostic check has been completed by the manufacturer, an approved representative, or a recognised technician where the damage to the vehicle extends beyond the radiator support panel is not available (Note 1).

11. The parking brake lever:

a) is insecure, or

b) mounting is damaged, corroded, distorted, or

c) is fractured within 150mm of the lever mounting.

12. A brake component shows signs of heating or welding after original manufacture.

Note 1

See Technical bulletin 3 for an explanation of declaration requirements.

Summary of legislation

Applicable legislation
Mandatory equipment

1. Vehicles must have a service brake that acts on each wheel, except in the following cases:

a) A vehicle of class MA, MB, MC, MD1, MD2, or NA first registered anywhere before 1 February 1977 may have a service brake that is designed to act on fewer than four wheels.

b) A vehicle of class LE first registered anywhere before 1 February 1977 may have a service brake that is designed to act on fewer than three wheels.

c) A vehicle first registered in New Zealand from 1 November 1990 that does not have a dual circuit service brake must have a parking brake that is capable of bringing the vehicle to a controlled stop if the service brake fails.

Permitted equipment

2. A vehicle may be fitted with a warning system that is part of, or associated with, the use of a brake component or system.

Performance

3. The brake friction surfaces must be within safe tolerance of their state when manufactured, and must not be scored, weakened or damaged to the extent that the safe performance of the brake is adversely affected.

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