Rear pads excessive wear??

[zetec]

Had the car serviced yesterday, the mechanic made a note that my rear pads were 'approx' 80% worn. When I questioned this the receptionist said it is only a visual check and not accurate. So I asked what was the point, do I need new pads or not.

When I got home I checked through my documents, last service, Feb04 rear pads 'approx' 40% worn! WTF, how can rear pads wear that much in 10 months and 8,000 miles?

Can anyone advise me on any causes for this wear or if it is acceptable. The car has 2 months left on its warranty and if there is a problem I would like for it to be sorted ASAP.

The car is a 2002 Mondeo, also I had a rear calliper replaced in the summer as it had seized (common problem according to Fords)

Thank you!!

[kenmorton]

8,000 miles and 40% wear equals 20,000 miles before replacement. Unacceptable if this was all motorway driving or unbeilivable if you drive like your pants are on fire.
I would guess its at the lower end of the average life of rear pads.
My own Mondeo was a repmobile for the first three years of its life and even though it had done 96,000 miles because these were mostly on the motorway between London and Glasgow the brakes hardly got used at all and were in very good condition when I bought it. Within the first 10,000 miles that I had it though I had to replace all four disks and pads.

[old64er]

unless they are in your hand and you can measure them it can be very difficult to tell how much they are worn when fitted to the vehicle.
Speaking as an ex-MOT tester

Best way is to get the jack out and strip them down.