The subject brake test apparatus operates in conjunction with a vehicle having a source of power, a traction motor controllably connected to the power source and to at least one vehicle wheel, and a vehicle brake associated with at least one vehicle wheel. An actuator controllably engages and disengages the vehicle brake in response to receiving respective brake control signals, and a transducer produces wheel rotation signals in response to rotation of at least one of the vehicle wheels. A processor controllably delivers a brake engaging signal to the actuator and engages the vehicle brake. A predetermined amount of power from the power source is delivered to the traction motor for a predetermined period of time. In response to receiving wheel rotation signals from the transducer, the processor determines the degree of rotation of the vehicle wheels during at least a predetermined portion of the period of time that the traction motor is energized, and produces a brake status signal in response to amount of rotation of the vehicle wheels. The brake test apparatus advantageously produces an objective result, and is fully automatic in operation. Therefore, it is particularyl well suited to use on unmanned vehicles.