Minimum brake pad thickness

Minimum brake pad thickness

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Discussion

pattieG

Original Poster:

194 posts

148 months

Friday 10th October 2014
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Does anyone know the minimum brake pad thickness for a 52 plate TDCi Fiesta? I've got my MOT coming up soon and I'm not sure if I need to change them beforehand.

BritishRacinGrin

24,602 posts

159 months

Friday 10th October 2014
quotequote all
They cannot fail it on pad thickness, only on braking balance and efficiency as tested. They could potentially write up an advisory if the pad thickness is even measurable without removing the wheels.

OldBuoy

26,954 posts

182 months

Friday 10th October 2014
quotequote all
BritishRacinGrin said:
They cannot fail it on pad thickness, only on braking balance and efficiency as tested. They could potentially write up an advisory if the pad thickness is even measurable without removing the wheels.
The minimum thickness is 1.5mm, if it can be seen or not is another matter.

"Brakes

The brakes are checked from inside and outside the vehicle. Inside checks include making sure brake lights work and that the brake pedal has an anti-slip device in good condition. The brake pedal should not reach the floor and the handbrake should hold onto its ratchet when applied.

Outside the vehicle, the Nominated Tester will be checking for brake fluid leaks, as well as damage to the brake pipes and parking brake cables. Brake pads must have at least 1.5 mm of friction material wear left to pass the MOT."

BritishRacinGrin

24,602 posts

159 months

Saturday 11th October 2014
quotequote all
I didn't realise there was a minimum so thank you, I stand corrected.

However I still consider this minimum to be somewhat moot being that the tester is not permitted to remove roadwheels to inspect the car and on the vast majority of cars accurate measurement of remaining brake pad material would not be possible without doing so.

phillpot

17,105 posts

182 months

Saturday 11th October 2014
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That may be the "legal" requirement but think I'd be looking to change long before they got anywhere near 1.5mm !