brake pads: how long should they last?

i have, so far, never had to change my discs or pads.
i cannot find anything in the paperwork i got with the car, saying trhat they have ever been changed, but i am guessing, that the garage must have fitted new ones throughout, before i picked up the car,(nearly 8 years ago). i have done 46,000 miles with it, when i had new tyres fitted the other day, i looked at the pads and there is still 5-6mm left on front, and 6-7mm on rear, and all discs look like new, very small burr on outside edge.
how long do they last?

My neigbour has a L22 Range Rover and had to replace his pads after 18000 miles, i have a P38 dse and mine have done 31000 miles and just passed MOT , when i checked pads before the mot there is stil lots of life left in them so it depends on your drivig style

the ones that were on mine when i got it had been in some time, the edges were chipped so i replaced the lot, i wasnt keen on the pads breaking down and causing a problem!

It will depend on the type of journey, cross country, especially if you're pushing on a bit, will wear the pads far quicker that motorways wher you don't touch the brakes at all, and you driving style. Even whether it's manual or auto.

towing n off roading will effect em:doh: too.Ive done three sets of pads in a year!!!!

Pad life varies enormously as indicated above. With a lot of mud and water, it is possible to do a set of pads in a couple of days. If you do lots of motorway and have a light touch well who knows. Modern motors have thick pads to avoid replacement because of the length of the service interval. Long gone are the days of most cars needing a 5,000 or 6,000 mile service.

The brake pads on my proper car have so far lasted 52,000 miles!! and it is still as sharp on the anchors as it was when I drove it out the showroom.

if your unsure, compare the cost of your life to the cost ofa set of pads! i would change em and also refurb the caliper brackets as these will be seized. ive done mine and there are a few posts on here but, a key point is that the rover 75 front slide pins, among others, are the same as the rr p38!