Now we're getting technical let's get some facts straight.
For david1702198
1) The handbrake effort needed to pass the MOT is 16%, not 17%. The handbrake effort can be less than 16% and still pass the MOT if both wheels operated by the handbrake lock up.
2) Design Gross Weight is only used for brake tests on Class VII MOT's, not for Ford Mondeo's which are Class IV. The data used to to calculate brake tests on Class IV MOT's is taken from a Brake Data Chart or by the figures given on the new computerised system. The new ATL test stations have brake rollers that weigh the vehicle being tested and calculate the effort automatically.
If no brake data is available then the tester will check to see if all the wheels lock up on a roller brake tester. Three wheels have to lock for the footbrake, and both for a handbrake to be able to pass, if lock isn't achieved to those standards he will use a decelerometer to check for brake efficiency .
3) Some cars don't have a centre console, the correct terminology is:-
When the brake is fully applied there is no possibility of further travel of the lever because the lever is
a) at the end of its working travel on the ratchet, or
b) fouling adjacent parts of the vehicle
4)The brake efficiency in an MOT test is most certainly not measured on a rolling road although many people call it that, it's measured by a brake roller tester. A rolling road is used to measure power output.