Brake Pad/Disc thickness

Ibrahim5

I always service my own cars and never let my brake pads/discs go below the minimum stated thickness but wondered what a garage would do. Say the minimum thickness is 2mm and they measure 3mm. Which do they do:
A)This looks like a high mileage car and it will be 2 years before the next service and I think it will probably go below 2 if I don't change them so they need changing or
B)3 is greater than 2. They're OK
Obviously if B is correct then the 2mm includes a margin of safety that the owner would use till the next service. Just out of interest.

NSG666

A good garage should contact the customer, explain the situation and give a price to do the work while the car was there. The customer can then decide whether they want to get a bit more mileage but have to book the car in at a later date or go down the route of convenience and get the work done during the same visit.

daveyjp

A bad garage will do the work anyway and bill the customer,  A good garage will advise them and offer options on how to proceed.

Mine is the latter.  Car was serviced in October and I was advised the front pads are low and may need changing in about 6 months. That date will be close to MOT time so I was advised to wait.

My car also has low brake pad warning so if any garage were to advise they need changing immediately I'd be suspicious if there had been no warning.

fred990

My vw invariably gets an advisory for pitted/scored discs due very low use and rusting that's when I change them, quick easy job.

The pad wear warning comes on early at >4mm yet the min recommended is 2mm. I code the warning out since it cant be cleared (not a dtc) then monitor the wear and change them when the weather's nice!