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[damon80]

I'll not mention the garage, given what happened with the Volvo forum, but...  I've been so snowed under lately (with work, and work round the house before we get it on the market), that I didn't have chance to service the motor this time round.

So, I took it to a place near work, and left it with them for the day (beforehand, I asked them what the service routine was for a 3.2 V6 Miggy, and they said that a breather-cleanout is a biggy, so I knew that they knew their stuff).

Anyway, they said that the pads were 90% worn all round.  On the back of this, I ordered a set of new pads for the front (Thanks for your advice TB - local factors wanted £26, Vauxhall £27.50 for genuine - bit of a no-brainer really...).

So, in the p!$$ing rain what we've had today, I took the wheels off, and the calipers (it ain't too easy to see with em on), only to find out that they've hardly worn at all compared to the new un's  

But like I said, with the front calipers in place, you can't really see the pads proper at all.  

So my question is - anyone had an MOT failure through this?  Or was it my gauarge after a few quid??  

[bighed]

As long as the brakes stop the vehicle to a certain degree tested on the rollers, they cant fail it if your pads are "low" if thats what your askin??

[damon80]

Nah, my question is - has anyone had a fail cos the tester can't see the pads?

I must admit, it does look like the pads are worn, till you take the caliper off...  

[bighed]

As above, it dont get tested for how much pad/how much you can see of it. As long as its got a certain stopping power your ok.  

[JasonH]

In my experience amount of friction material is never checked.

They just get the car on the rollers and check the braking efficiency on each wheel and with the handbrake.

[Andy B]

I had it noted as an advisory last year on my Astra, it failed on other things though. I can't really see how a car could fail due to low linings, what if you have drums, they can't see what lining you've left unless they dismantle stuff.

[Andy B]

......  Or was it my gauarge after a few quid??  

Couldn't possibly say!      

[TheBoy]

I always seem to get advisories about 'unable to check pads' or 'low pads', though its not a failure. Nor does it appear on the Vosa MOT check website when I check afterwards.  If the brakes work above a certain efficiency, its a pass.  I like to change mine when they are about 2/3rds worn (ie, about time warning comes on), as mucg beyond this, they seem to fade far too quickly for my liking.


My other tip to damon80 - get a TC card, Pads are £13 + VAT on TC