Brake pads wearing thin
How it can appear on an MOT certificate
- “Brake pad(s) wearing thin”
- “Brake pad(s) less than 1.5mm thick”
What it is
Brake pads are the friction material that presses against the brake discs to slow the car. They wear down with use and are replaced as a routine service item.
Why it matters
Thin pads stop the car less well, and once the friction material is gone the metal backing plate grinds against the disc, damaging it. A pad under 1.5mm thick fails the MOT; "wearing thin" is an advisory that they will need replacing soon.
What to check when viewing a car
Ask when the pads were last replaced and look for receipts. Listen for grinding or squealing on a test drive, and budget for new pads if this was advised recently.
Has the car you're looking at had this before?
Free: every MOT, every defect explained in plain English, mileage, tax and ULEZ.
What the MOT categories mean
- Dangerous
- A direct and immediate risk to road safety, or a serious impact on the environment. The car fails and shouldn't be driven until it's repaired.
- Major
- It may affect the car's safety, put other road users at risk or harm the environment. The car fails and should be repaired straight away.
- Minor
- No significant effect on safety or the environment. The car passes, but it should be repaired as soon as possible.
- Advisory
- Something to keep an eye on that could need repairing in future. The car passes.
Related: brakes
- Brake discs worn, pitted or scored
- Brake pipe corroded
- Brake hose damaged or deteriorated
- Parking brake (handbrake) not working well enough
- Brakes pulling or uneven (imbalance)
- Brake fluid leak
Buying a used car?
General information about this type of MOT defect, not advice about a particular car. How serious it is depends on the car; have any car you're buying inspected by a qualified mechanic.