As with most things in life, brakes are more complicated than you might think. Here are some of the terms used:

Pads

Discs

Drums

Shoes

Fluid

Handbrake cable

Brake wear is an indeterminate science – in some cases the brake pads will do 70,000 miles while other drivers will find they need changing after only 25,000 miles. The type of vehicle, type of use and your driving style all have an influence on pad life.

You can expect to have to replace front discs and pads during a vehicle’s life due to wear but are more likely to have to replace rear pads and discs because of corrosion. If you only use your car a little and always keep it in a garage rust is more likely to set in.

Your pads will fail a MOT test if they are less than 1.5mm thick, and discs will fail if they are ‘seriously weakened’.

It goes without saying that if you hear any squealing from your brakes or if you feel the braking performance is less effective than usual please come and get them checked. We’ll check them for free and advise you what, if anything, needs doing and how much it will cost.