MOT centre tells me my handbrake needs adjusting. Is this much of a job? how does one go about it? Regards

The search tool is a wonderfull thing
https://www.fiatforum.com/barchetta/110466-hand-brake-adjustments.html

Although there should be an adjustment at the wheel which should be done first before touching the cable unless they are self adjusting.

Can't remember I'm affraid

Here are a couple of pages from the workshop manual describing the adjustment process...

Cheers!

IF you're lucky all that'll needed is to adjust both rear cables inside the car at the handbrake lever, very easy! done in minutes. BUT the B cables are very prone to stretching with age. So.......if'n the inside adjustment is all used up, that'll require 2 new cables to cure. Assuming the rear brake calipers/pads are all OK. This'll require part removal of the exhaust system, in order to access the cables directly beneath the handbrake, unless you cheat like me and attach string to the old ones as a guide to reinserting the new ones. It's a 1 man job with the roof down, pulling string guiding a cable. BUT there is a rubber bit concealed directly beneath the handbrake lever to be considered. You takes your choice. My exhaust is well rusted but still fully serviceable and I meanly chose to renew the cables only since I'd need to cut the functioning exhaust off. A purist would renew the cables & exhaust (stainless replacement) but then again I'm tight. I spend the saved Shekels on loose living, wanton women and obtainable drugs. I have a vivid imagination it goes in the church collection really.

At Last I have a fully functioning handbrake, mainly because the mechanics stripped the calipers & unseized the partially seized bits. It's taken me 3 sets of handbrake cables, 2 sets of discs & 3 sets of pads before others attacked the real root cause. I was convinced the calipers were sound, but as ever I was wrong.

Lucky you Casa. My handbrake still doesn't work after renewing everything (except limiters). Gonna by-pass them as soon as i recover from this damn cold, but in all honesty can't see it making much difference. I have posted before on this subject as you may be aware. Good luck Norbiton, keep us posted please.

Mine doesn't work either verry well after changing the cables.
It's like they strech :/ Goint to try to dismantle te calipers

Same problem here.. had to ratchet it up further than I thought it would go for a multi-storey car park ramp queue, and it was barely holding the car. Had it sorted for the last MoT but it still seemed weak and seems to be getting worse. Is everyone serious about 'stretchy cables'... sounds odd!

Have just found out that near side handbrake cable must be snapped. Is it worth while to replace just the one or replace both?
Have had the wheel off and drum and checked all the braking system and apart from a bit of dirt that I am going to clean up the foot brake all seems find.
So what is the best way to go on replacing then?

Replace both cables. Otherwise you can't get it right because one will be further streched than the other.
You can get them off ebay from germany fairly cheap.
I've replaced them 2 times in the 3 years, and handbrake was not that strong. Could not get to lock the wheels when driving.

Now I replaced the calipers with newer secondhand ones and hehe I can turn the car with the handbrake

Many thanks for that was going to go to a fiat dealer tomorrow and get them as need them ASAP. There is also a Halfords near me so will price them there as well. How easy is it to replace them, do you have to replace cable into the casing etc.

No the inner and outer cable it 1 piece.

It's not so difficult but you will need to attach with tape another cable when pulling it out so you can pull the new one x2 in.
Oterwise it can be a fiddly job. It's possible without a ramp, but it's helpfull.

Had car up on car jack had rear wheel off and drum so could see it was still connected onto the drum, then took all covering off handbrake in car and saw the cable connected to the handbrake so it must have snapped in middle. Have been online and saw sets for £17 each side suppose to be original spec. So if cant get them at a motor factors tomorrow will have to order them as wife says she thinks car is unsafe without working handbrake.

Replacement cables from Fiat Auch were 51.41 euros in May 2011,
bet they're not cheaper now...as has been said, do both.

Forgot to say that's each.

This has reminded me that my B's handbrake are only just squeaked through the MOT last summer, and I'd said to myself that I'd overhaul it before putting the car back on the road this year. Ho hum!

I had the same problem a few years back. I replaced the cables and its been fine after that.

Even with new cables mine were still too long. I had to put some brass nuts on to effectively shorten the cables. Also if you change the disks and pads they will need bedding in well to get a working handbrake. Had this problem with mine and thought i was going to have to scrap it as it wouldn't pass MOT. I also removed the restrictors as the rear brakes were too weak.

Going to have a go at fitting the new cables tomorrow. First time attempting it so wish me luck ?