Explanation of brake pad wear warning light (and MOT)

[HPsauce]

Originally Posted by HPsauce

Any comment re MOT?

I've done a bit of rummaging around online and looked at the .gov web site MOT manual too.
It seems that pad wear warning lights are totally ignored by the MOT.

Obviously the brakes do still have to work, which they definitely do.

[HPsauce]

Gone for MOT today, driven there by my friendly neighbourhood MOT tester. He texted me to say the pads REALLY ARE worn.
(and no, it's not a fail, or anything at all)

The front discs need replacing, which I know, so it seems that their uneven surface has just cut through one of the pads at the wrong place.
Still a reasonable amount of pad left over much of the surface, but it will all get done fairly soon.

[HPsauce]

Apparently the nearside inside pads were the worst worn and they also have the wiring, so possibly a sticking caliper or piston?

[Adrian E]

If the wire is partially exposed, you won't get the warning come on until you use the brakes and wear away anything stopping the pad wear sensor touching the disc. Usually lasts a little while like that before the light stays on as soon as you apply the brakes to move the gear selector

[HPsauce]

Finally had the front discs and pads replaced today.
£350 including VAT, most of which was for the discs.

Any recommendations for "bedding in" when they've both been changed together?

[Dezzy]

Originally Posted by HPsauce

Any recommendations for "bedding in" when they've both been changed together?

Don't drive like a bellend for a week and aviod heavy stops, job done.

[Adrian E]

Basically as above, try and avoid sitting on the brakes at traffic lights etc if you've just come off a motorway. Better to let the car creep a bit with light pressure

Depends on use but it doesn't take long to bed them in

[oldnick]

getting an intermittant warning despite lots of pad left

just to be clear ....sensors on both front brakes ?[ not always the case }

[HPsauce]

I think it's a loop through both sides in series, inner pads.
Mine were worn more inside than out so "looked " as if there was still a fair amount left, but there wasn't.