Thank you! It's in the garage anyway for something else so I asked them to have a look at the hand brake, but I was a bit worried they might tell me there's a problem even if there wasn't. Also interesting that there's probably no need for replacement parts, just servicing - will feel more...

They're talking about making it obligatory but nothing definite as yet. I can see why they're thinking about it, watching those little Clios or whatever sliding about on the snow is pretty nerve-wracking but hopefully they will exempt some of the more efficient 4x4s

I have a Freelander 2 and I really have to pull the handbrake up very hard to secure the car sometimes. I live in the mountains so sometimes it's quite a slope and if I just pull it up a normal amount it doesn't seem to stop the car rolling, but if I pull it up very hard there's no problem. I do...

As a disclaimer I know very little about anything to do with cars, but I live in the French Alps and don't put snow tyres on my Freelander. In the heavy snow last winter didn't skid or slide or get stuck a single time.