Ask Honest John

Honest John Ask Honest John » Unbroken brakes
What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks

Unbroken brakes

I read in last weeks Saturday motoring section, your reply to a motorist who complained about having to replace brake discs and pads after only 19,000 miles. I understand your reply and know about the disc rusting with low mileage problem. I have the opposite experience. I drive a '56' plate Mondeo estate, and after 102,000 miles am still on my original discs pads. If the rest of the car keeps going as good as that I shall be very pleased. Obviously my driving involves a lot of long motorway stints and I try not to brake heavily as I feel that this is just a waste of energy and diesel and my money.

Asked on 11 July 2009 by

Answered by Honest John
Well yes. As with many components, it's not the mileage they do but how much they are actually used. A clutch does more work in 10,000 miles of short runs than it does in 100,000 miles of long runs. And, as you say, braking is a waste of energy so should be done as little as possible. The gormless idiots forever braking in the outside lanes of motorways are not only driving dangerously, they are wasting precious fuel. You do need to clean surface corrosion from your brake discs by a few hard brakings, but otherwise use anticipation to help you brake as little as possible.

Looking for a garage you can trust? Honest John's Good Garage Guide has thousands of reader recommended garages, plus how-to guides and tips on servicing.

The Good Garage Guide
Similar questions
Why does my brake pedal feels as though its joined to other pedals with a bar when I apply the brakes?
I bought a Corsa VXR in September 2012 brand new, after a few months of owning I have had issues with the brakes screeching and binding. I have taken it back to the local dealer where I bought it three...
My Corsa has just failed its MOT because of a 'strong imbalance' between the L and R rear brakes. Apparently this could either be a distribution valve, or possibly the Master Cylinder. I was surprised...