Ford Focus brake pad wear indicator?

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Thu 1 Feb 2007 19:45
Ford Focus brake pad wear indicator? - bert-j
Does anyone know whether a 4 year old Focus has a warning light (or possibly audible warning) for front pad wear? Reason for asking is that my Sister-in-Law's car failed it's MOT allegedly for worn front brake pads. The Ford dealer insisted that the pads would need replacing for the car to pass the MOT. The old pads were 'unfortunately' disposed of before the hefty bill was paid. There was no sign of braking problems or warnings before the MOT. The dealer also tried to insist on replacing two front tyres. Fortunately my SIL was sensible enough to take the car to a tyre specialist who confirmed that the tyres still had about 5000 miles in them. Unfortunately she can't find the car handbook, hence my query. I'd be grateful for any replies.
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Thu 1 Feb 2007 20:00
Ford Focus brake pad wear indicator? - yorkiebar
The mot test only tests how the brakes perform, not on how much pad material is left.

It can offer an advisory if the material is low, or can give you a "dangerous" to drive notice if they are about to fail, but cant just change them to pass the test unless you gave them permission to do so.

They should have a failure result from the brake test if so and could at least produce that for you?

if they cannot produce evidence of a failed test then they should present the old pads as evidence for you, again, unless you said something like "just do what it needs to pass the test".

Suggest standing your ground if this is not the case and insist on the old pads being returned to you. Or failing that I would expect the bill to be adjusted accordingly.
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Thu 1 Feb 2007 20:07
Ford Focus brake pad wear indicator? - LeePower
A Focus Ghia I would expect to have a warning light as part of the fancy warning system but all the other specs of Focus I doubt I would have one, Ill ask my mate at Ford when I meet him down the pub.
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Thu 1 Feb 2007 21:00
Ford Focus brake pad wear indicator? - Simon
A little known fact is that where the brake linings are visible without dismantling, the linings must have at least 1.5mm of friction material left otherwise it is a failure point. Maybe this was the case with your sisters in laws car.
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Thu 1 Feb 2007 21:11
Ford Focus brake pad wear indicator? - yorkiebar
May be a fact but can you point out where it is in the testers manual?

I think it just warrants an advisory or a dangerous notice.
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Thu 1 Feb 2007 21:13
Ford Focus brake pad wear indicator? - yorkiebar
And it doesn't excuse why the old pads were not kept for inspection !
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Thu 1 Feb 2007 21:55
Ford Focus brake pad wear indicator? - Simon
Yes I can. Click the link and scroll down to part F.

www.motuk.co.uk/manual_350.htm
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Thu 1 Feb 2007 23:09
Ford Focus brake pad wear indicator? - bert-j
Sorry, should have said that the car is a Focus Ghia automatic.
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