Worn brakes = MOT failure even if working okay?

[GabrielKnight]

During an MOT test, do they observe the visual condition of the pads and disks or do they just test that the brakes stop alright?

To put another way, can my car pass its MOT if the brakes are worn (grinding) but performance seems unaffected.

(No lectures please - I'm getting them seen to).

 

[TeZ]

They will look at them. they often have wear markers.

 

[MrMark]

its harder for them to see if you dont have alloys. But they do, do brake performance test on rollers

 

[Davey C]

Well, not sure if this is generally applicable this is just my experience:

Car had an MOT done, passed with flying colours:

A couple of weeks later put the car in to have work done and they had a look at the brakes.
Report stated:

Front Disks: completely corroded and pads 80% worn.
Rear pads: binding/grinding 90% worn.

I phoned the garage that did the MOT and they said that none of the above was an MOT failure so they were perfectly correct to pass the car.

• Maybe someone on here with the relevant knowledge can advise if this is correct before you rely on it?

 

[Diesel_Power]

They will check the condition of the pads and brakes in terms of wear and condition e.g. corroded etc.

 

[GabrielKnight]

<Maybe someone on here with the relevant knowledge can advise if this is correct before you rely on it?>

Hope so! Mixed messages so far - 2/2 each way!

 

[Diesel_Power]

Put it this why, whats the point in having pads and discs with a good amount of meat on them when they are corroded? Its like having new tyres with cracks, they wont pass either. Theres no debate, thats the way it is.

 

[Henry]

http://www.ukmot.com/3-5.asp#Text_top

(check point f.)

in reality it's going to depend upon the tester - one might give you an advisory note whereas another might fail you and another might not even bother looking

 

[veaney]

Just put new brakes on, got my brakes for 12 quid inc vat and took an hour n a half

 

[lemonnobby]

they have to be 1mm or less. if i remember correctly

 

[GabrielKnight]

What a confusing spectrum of answers! I've got less idea now than when I started, lol!

 

[Henry]

http://www.ukmot.com/3-5.asp#Text_top

(check point f.)

in reality it's going to depend upon the tester - one might give you an advisory note whereas another might fail you and another might not even bother looking

^ as above. it's not confusing; those are the test regulations. they're open to interpretation though.
no one's going to be able to tell you your car will or won't pass but you can make an educated guess about your chances by reading and applying the above to your own car.

 

[GabrielKnight]

Thanks Henry, I was already giving your post most credit because it quoted the official guidelines. Have also posted on the nets biggest MOT mechanics forum, but get the feeling I will only find out for sure on the day.

 

[Henry]

^think you're spot on there

if they're borderline, i'd change them to be on the safe side. you obviously risk a re-test fee otherwise.

 

[Davey C]

Have also posted on the nets biggest MOT mechanics forum, .

Have you got a link to this?
Had a look on google but couldn't find any that seem very active.

 

[GabrielKnight]

It turned out to be a waste of time, just full of thick, agressive, working-class mechanics who were more interested in their percieved self-importance than actually answering the question in a helpful way.

They pompously started complaining I was going to put everyones life at risk etc etc, despite the fact I made it clear from the start that I'm also trying to get new brakes at the same time.

 

[Peperami]

If they're worn why not get new brakes anyway?

I find they're a pretty important safety feature...

 

[Henry]

quiver at the might of.. THE MoT TESTER!

 

[2thumbs]

The fact they make a grinding noise doesn't always mean they're wearing out.

At this time of year, if you're car has alloys and it's layed up quite often then disc's will corrode slightly on the surface causing the grinding noise yet they still work fine.

I had the same once. It didn't fail the mot, but I did get an advisory that they should get replaced in the near future.

 

[GabrielKnight]

The fact they make a grinding noise doesn't always mean they're wearing out.

At this time of year, if you're car has alloys and it's layed up quite often then disc's will corrode slightly on the surface causing the grinding noise yet they still work fine.

I had the same once. It didn't fail the mot, but I did get an advisory that they should get replaced in the near future.

I think mine might be the same. They seem to be working fine. They're rears which weren't changed all that long ago, and they only grind when its cold and wet, and only ever for the first 5 mins of driving.

But anyway, I'm replacing with a nice disks / pads set because the noise is annoying.

 

[ditz]

i wish people would be sure before they start giving advice like this.
basically - if they can see it they can fail it.
the rules are if the tester is unsure on something they can only pass/advise.
ie if the car has steel wheels and they cant see the pads (can see the discs from behind the wheel) they cant fail them on there condition only on braking performance

but if the car has alloys or a wheel that allows the tester to see the pads and they are under the 1.5mm required then they can fail it yes - even if they pull up ok.
same again with discs - can fail on excessively worn/corroded.

 

[GabrielKnight]

Hi ditz. Thats great info, thanks.

Can I ask if you've had any experience with pads and disks that don't look all that worn, aren't very corroded, but make a kind of grinding noise, only when its cold and wet, and only ever for the first few minutes of driving? I'm intrigued in case it happens again.

 

[ditz]

Hi ditz. Thats great info, thanks.

Can I ask if you've had any experience with pads and disks that don't look worn, aren't very corroded, but make a kind of grinding noise, only when its cold and wet?

yeah, but it only really happens the first time you brake.
you normally get it when you wash a car and leave it overnight without moving it surface rust builds up on the discs but as i say it usually clears the first time you lean on the pedal.
is it a metalic grinding you are getting?

 

[GabrielKnight]

I'd say probably the first 1 - 3 times depending on the weather, then its absolutely fine. It doesn't happen if my Clios been in my garage overnight, so I think you've hit the nail on the head with surface rust. Can't see much rust visually tho and they seem to brake perfectly. In any case, the sound is so annoying that I'd fix it even if it turned out to be 100% safe.
Thanks!

 

[Day]

Flame baiting other members will not be tolerated.

Thank you


.