Go to a real garage not one full of 16 year olds on commission instructed to rob everybody who goes through the door.

Wife once went in to get a puncture fixed in her "real" Mini many years ago. When she went to pay they told her the front pads were nearly worn out and needed immediately replacing. Luckily she was no mug and pointed out the car was 6 months old and had done less than 5,000 miles. Only been back once since and I don't think I was too popular after I told them just to do what I had asked them to.

Hi,

I would say its highly unlikely you need new drums on a 40k mileage car. Discs and pads do wear out and probably at 40k you are getting to the point of replacement. However, assuming you've had an MOT in the last 12 months, they would have reported worn pads/ discs excess wear etc. If they didn't (and it would help to know when the MOT was and the recorded mileage) then it probably doesn't need doing. I agree that a proper garage not filled with 16 year olds on commision for a second opinion is certainly worth exploring.

MOT date and mileage please plus your current mileage...I can then evaluate if you need to do anything.

Robin the Technician - I fix, therefore I am

firstly, I am going to assume that when you write "discs and drums" you actually meant "discs and pads".

So we have here a set of discs and pads that have covered c40k over 4 years. About 10k pa, so I'm also assuming the car is being used pretty much daily.

I would say that 40k/4yrs is a good life for the pads. You obviously know that they need replacing or you wouldn't have gone to KF in the first place.

However, in my opinion (bearing n mind that we cannot see your discs from here), I would suggest it is unlikely that your discs need replacing as well. Discs do wear as well as pads, but you should be able to get 2 or 3 sets of pads per set of discs.

There are factors that could lead to the need for disc replacement at this low mileage. Leaving the car stood outside for days on end when the discs can get badly rusted is one. Using the car daily scrubs off light overnight rust easily stopping the corrosion eating into the discs too quickly. Also if there is excessive scoring due to dirt or any cracking then the discs will need replacing.

What you should ask:

Ask what is the new disc thickness for your model?
Ask what is the minimum specified disc thickness for your model?

The difference between these two figures tells you the maximum permitted wear. About 3mm (1.5mm per face) would be typical

Ask, what is the actual thickness of the discs on your car? This requires the mechanic to actually get some tools out!!

The difference between this figure and the new thickness will tell you the actual wear on your discs. If it is half the permitted maximum or less, then you can safely put a new set of pads in (unless there are other reasons for changing them as above).

This should help you question any advice you are given. I would echo the advice given above: find a small local independant garage. Use recommendation from friends/colleagues/neighbours.

Why not let us know what area you live in, someone here may be able to recommend a garage. Or use the HJ Good Garage guide (see links at the top of the page).

Drums and shoes should last a long long time. 100,000 miles easily. This is because the rear brakes only do about 20% of the braking, and not even that under very light braking. Especially in such a light car.

Are KF expecting you to pay for a full set of discs, pads, drums and shoes? Or are they offering to replace them under their guarantee as mentioned by Mark above?

We know you need new pads and you might need new discs. But drums and shoes after 40k? Extremely unlikely IMO (unless there's some other mechanical failure like a fluid leak). But, of course, if they're gonna change them FOC..........

I also agree with those who state that worn pads should result in an advisory at MoT. I have had one myself.

Of course, an MoT should not be relied upon as a substitute for regular maintenance by an experienced technician.

Em should find a local garage. She may have to pay a few $$s for an inspection (some disassembly may be required), but it should be money well spent for solid advice.

If you are not getting any vibration from front or rear under braking you dont seem to need new discs or drums, brake linings maybe. My last car did 70k on rear linings and it was an auto ( more braking).