Should I be worried?

[Hedgehopper]

My pal's Griff has just failed its MOT because of brake inefficiency. This surprised him because in normal driving the brakes seemed OK. However on a simulated emergency stop he found them to be rather lacking in effect.

This worried me as I am very light on brakes and wondered how my car would react in emergency so I also simulated an emergency stop. The car seemed to stop quickly (how do you judge these things?) but I was concerned that I was completely unable to lock the brakes...should I be worried, does this indicate inefficiency?

Advice will be welcome.

[TV8]

How old is the brake fluid?

[LordGrover]

If you can't lock the wheels at a moderate speed I'd get investigating by someone who knows. Brakes are fairly important.

[davetherave1970]

I'd be worried if I couldn't lock the wheels up.

[T1pper]

If you only use the brakes lightly and they have been on the car for a while I would suggest that the pads have become hard and glazed.

I would recommend that the pads be replaced and also check the discs as well to make sure they are within tolerance, the comment about changing the brake fuild would maybe improve the "feel" of the pedal and is important if you are a track day driver as the fluid will become contaminated by water over a peroid of time and may boil under extreme braking conditions.

When replacing the pads check all the calipers are free and working correctly.

Lastly any doubt get the whole system checked by a qualified mechanic.

[Hedgehopper]

Thanks for all the advice. Discs are shiny both sides and the servo works so new fluid and de-glaze the pads before I drive again.