jazz
New Member
Posts: 54 
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Post by jazz on Jul 19, 2018 21:27:50 GMT 1
My car failed it's MOT today, rear brake pads below 1.5mm. I was surprised with this fail because the rear brakes were only serviced last year. I stripped the brakes down and all of the pads had at least 8mm of lining material and were in good shape also the disks had no problems. Because I had spare new disks and pads I replaced them anyway. The car is being returned tomorrow for a retest. How should I handle this? Not sure if I am going to be charged again if so I will not be very happy.
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Post by sorted on Jul 19, 2018 21:49:29 GMT 1
Silly question but have you looked at the fronts in case the tester picked the wrong item on the failure list?
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remmington
Apprentice
Owns Spark Eroder
Posts: 4,972
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Post by remmington on Jul 19, 2018 21:57:38 GMT 1
Silly question but have you looked at the fronts in case the tester picked the wrong item on the failure list? Sensible question... Often happens! Front - back - nearside - offside... Mix ups happen all the while. Not a stupid question at all.... |
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jazz
New Member
Posts: 54
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Post by jazz on Jul 19, 2018 21:58:56 GMT 1
The front pads had an advisory getting close to the limit. Again, this is strange new disks and pads were fitted only last year when the rear brakes were serviced.
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Post by studabear on Jul 19, 2018 22:44:42 GMT 1
Was it your usual MOT station?
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Post by valhalla on Jul 19, 2018 22:53:01 GMT 1
Did the discs have a build-up of rust/varnish on their circumference? This is the ridge of material that you remove each time you service the pads, usually run a screwdriver rested against the caliper carrier and the disc whilst the disc is turned against it.
If there was a significant build-up of a ridge, then that might have lead the tester to the conclusion he/she came to, as it would appear that the remaining material on the pads was low. This is the reason why it makes sense to service the brakes properly by dismantling each year, as you find sticking caliper pins much quicker, but also can see in plain daylight how much pad material you have left. Trying to assess the pad depth in-situ without removing a roadwheel is a dead-loss on most cars, unless you have a good camera system to hand.
It's time that the MoT test caught-up with accepted practice and either abolish this part of the assessment, or allows the tester some sort of means to better assess the brake components. Clearly the test is put together by theoreticians in an office somewhere, but thank the heavens most service-bays apply common sense and inspect the parts properly at an annual service.
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jazz
New Member
Posts: 54
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Post by jazz on Jul 19, 2018 22:55:31 GMT 1
Was it your usual MOT station? yes, and they know that I do my own repairs. |
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jazz
New Member
Posts: 54
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Post by jazz on Jul 19, 2018 22:56:16 GMT 1
Did the discs have a build-up of rust/varnish on their circumference? This is the ridge of material that you remove each time you service the pads, usually run a screwdriver rested against the caliper carrier and the disc whilst the disc is turned against it.
If there was a significant build-up of a ridge, then that might have lead the tester to the conclusion he/she came to, as it would appear that the remaining material on the pads was low. This is the reason why it makes sense to service the brakes properly by dismantling each year, as you find sticking caliper pins much quicker, but also can see in plain daylight how much pad material you have left. Trying to assess the pad depth in-situ without removing a roadwheel is a dead-loss on most cars, unless you have a good camera system to hand.
It's time that the MoT test caught-up with accepted practice and either abolish this part of the assessment, or allows the tester some sort of means to better assess the brake components. Clearly the test is put together by theoreticians in an office somewhere, but thank the heavens most service-bays apply common sense and inspect the parts properly at an annual service.
There was no significant lip on the discs. I agree that there should be a more significant check with brake components, which can only be carried out more accurately by removing the wheels. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 20, 2018 13:12:35 GMT 1
If I were confident that my brakes were OK I'd of probably asked the reception/tester prior to leaving the Station about them, but after removing road wheels and checking to advise there is 8 mm on them but then change them anyway, well that is very strange to me!
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jazz
New Member
Posts: 54
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Post by jazz on Jul 20, 2018 16:52:12 GMT 1
I took my car back today and showed the mot inspector the old pads he was very apologetic and explained that it was difficult to check the pads with the wheels on and he relied on feeling for wear through the holes in the wheels.
Because I had a set of new spare pads and disks and couldn't be arsed in arguing with the mot inspector the next day, I changed them.
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Post by studabear on Jul 20, 2018 18:41:44 GMT 1
The tester should known that if in doubt it's Pass and advise.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 20, 2018 19:41:57 GMT 1
There are many wheels designs out there preventing the tester from seeing properly the condition of the pads and discs, but we should not go round failing them because we might believe they are seriously worn based on personal opinion of what might be!
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Post by Karl on Jul 21, 2018 17:47:29 GMT 1
You have got to be dead sure the pads are worn out
Below 1.5 mm is less than a 5p
Ie near as dam it metal to metal
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Post by studabear on Jul 21, 2018 21:38:38 GMT 1
I advised some that looked low the other day, when I serviced it afterwards they were on 4mm, looked a lot worse when all built up, discs were under spec so it had pads anyway.
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