Brake Pads and MOT

[Steve_R1979]

Hi All,

I know we have some MOT testers on here, so I was wondering if someone would be so good as to point me in the right direction with this.

GF's car is due and MOT

Pads are low (pad warning light is on)

Is the fact the pads are really low and the warning light on a fail or an advisory??

I want to change the pads myself, but if I do it I invalidate the warranty, so would rather get the MOT done within the warranty period and then change them.

Any thoughts??

Thanks

Steve

 

[Freelaner]

Mine was an advisary when they were 1.5 mm

 

[Trewey]

FFS!
Change the fookin pads. It's yer g/f's life on the line.
Tosser.

 

[crashbox]

I think Trewey has hit the nail on the head here. I echo his sentiment.

 

[thought it was mine!]

can't even believe steve you asked this CHANGE THE PADS it's not only her life but other people as well.

 

[Freelaner]

Take it to kwikfit they will change them for free for as long as she owns the car for then

 

[Soloby Rob]

FFS!
Change the fookin pads. It's yer g/f's life on the line.
Tosser.

I think Trewey has hit the nail on the head here. I echo his sentiment.

Gets my vote too.

 

[crashbox]

Oh my gf was killed in an accident last night, the brakes failed but its okay because it was under warranty.FFS guy, get a grip.

 

[blackdog1]

The warning light is telling you what you should be doing,pads are cheap enough.

 

[Jongould]

If the pads are below 1.5mm it's a fail. If the light is on then do a physical check, contrary to what everyone has said here a lot of cars will bring the light on way to early, BMW's bring the light on at about 60% worn so can be driven with the light on a bit longer. If they are low then change them ASAP, if you are unsure check with the MOT tester wen you present it

 

[Optimus Prime]

I understand your fear on the warranty issue. You will not invalidate the warranty by changing the pads yourself.

keep the receipt to demonstrate that you have bought pads of good quality.

Alternatively, if you do not feel up to the task, try one of the fast fit centres, particularly as most mainstream manufacturers offer a fast fit service (ford, vauxhall, etc)
Try to avoid kwik fit if you can as they are absolute poop, there a numerous horror stories about things they f*ck up on peoples cars and how they try to rip you off with their "free" safety check. OOh , this needs doing, dangerous, can't let you leave the depot like this etc.

That said, they do offer a lifetime guarantee to replace the pads for as long as you own the vehicle, as do ford. Not sure on the small print, but some options.

That said, don't **** about. Warning light is there for a reason. If you read the manual, it doesn't say "maybe have a think about having to change the pads in the near future".

It is an indicator that the pads are at the minimum recommended thickness.

 

[crashbox]

I understand your fear on the warranty issue. You will not invalidate the warranty by changing the pads yourself.

keep the receipt to demonstrate that you have bought pads of good quality.

Alternatively, if you do not feel up to the task, try one of the fast fit centres, particularly as most mainstream manufacturers offer a fast fit service (ford, vauxhall, etc)
Try to avoid kwik fit if you can as they are absolute poop, there a numerous horror stories about things they f*ck up on peoples cars and how they try to rip you off with their "free" safety check. OOh , this needs doing, dangerous, can't let you leave the depot like this etc.

That said, they do offer a lifetime guarantee to replace the pads for as long as you own the vehicle, as do ford. Not sure on the small print, but some options.

That said, don't **** about. Warning light is there for a reason. If you read the manual, it doesn't say "maybe have a think about having to change the pads in the near future".

It is an indicator that the pads are at the minimum recommended thickness.

Amen.

 

[Freelaner]

Go to kwikfit

 

[lorri789]

Aye, pads are cheap - even for good quality ones. It's an easy job so get cracking mate.

 

[200tdi ayre]

changing your pads wont invalidate your warranty as its not a warranty covered item, wearing part. never hesitate to change something if it like ly to cause injury should it fail. pads are cheap. injurys are not

 

[Rattlegun]

Krap fit will tell you the discs are gone and need replacing, they just shafted a girl at work for £400 for discs and pads on a car. They'll mitigate it by saying you get pads for life (whoopee £20 worth every 30k miles) but you'll bet they'll tell you the discs are gone again, you can see what's coming.

They're prob right about the discs however, pads and discs are a simultaneous consumable I've found in recent years, they wear about as fast as each other. Just shouldn't be £400! I did discs and pads for £55 this year, very cheap considering they'll do another 40k now. Not many consumables give that value (and are so important).

I waited till the wear indicator came on, and then itself wore away so the light went off again! Still usable pads left (and good pedal feel more importantly).

 

[Freelaner]

Take it to kwikfit cos you were considering saving a few bob by not doing it at all.
Tis probly the safer option for all

 

[200tdi ayre]

Krap fit will tell you the discs are gone and need replacing, they just shafted a girl at work for £400 for discs and pads on a car. They'll mitigate it by saying you get pads for life (whoopee £20 worth every 30k miles) but you'll bet they'll tell you the discs are gone again, you can see what's coming.

They're prob right about the discs however, pads and discs are a simultaneous consumable I've found in recent years, they wear about as fast as each other. Just shouldn't be £400! I did discs and pads for £55 this year, very cheap considering they'll do another 40k now. Not many consumables give that value (and are so important).

I waited till the wear indicator came on, and then itself wore away so the light went off again! Still usable pads left (and good pedal feel more importantly).

we got some disks for an audi a6 the other day and they were around 50 a pair as his were warped on the front and worn out on the back, but that'd done 60k about an hour to an hour and a half to change all 4 is all you really need with the right kit so £200 max !

 

[truckerdan]

£109 pound to do the front and rear discs pads on me disco td5. Which I thought was a good price for a full set of anchors.

 

[Steve_R1979]

Before anyone jumps ANY further down my throat.....

1) 4-5mm of pad left. I don't think its life threatening at the moment, but they will be done in the next couple of weeks. I'm not reckless enough to let her run it down to the backing.

2) Its a Mini Cooper S JCW. They are currently replacing the gearbox, a job that they would have charged us for had I changed the pads last week and screwed the warranty, hence my concern about screwing up the warranty pre MOT.

3) I am MORE than up to the job.

4) Pads alone are 180, plus fitting. If I take it anywhere else but BMW the warranty is void. As you can appreciate I can change them myself, saving the fitting, and at BMW rates, thats a lot of money to be saved. I'm just trying to get things order and find what my limitations are.

4) Cold day in hell when I let kwik **** near it. The pads are special order anyway, as the car has the big brake set up on it.

Thanks for the advice gents.......I do appreciate what your saying, I'm not going to let them get dangerously low, and there is enough pad on them to last her through the MOT, which is at most a week away!!

Steve