Brake Discs

[mwvw]

Just had the 02 Passat 2.0 petrol back from its MOT where the Front discs were replaced due to excessive pitting - expensive MOT.
The car is used daily and has done 45k under normal driving conditions.
Any thoughts!!!! as I would have expected the discs to last longer than this.

[colb666]

Depends on what sort of miles the last 45k has been...if its been mainly town miles then the brakes will have been used far more than a car which tramps up and down the motorway daily to cover the 45k.

My car had the discs replaced at 15k for the same problem so I reckon 45k isnt bad.

[Lex Luthor]

Just had the 02 Passat 2.0 petrol back from its MOT where the Front discs were replaced due to excessive pitting - expensive MOT.
The car is used daily and has done 45k under normal driving conditions.
Any thoughts!!!! as I would have expected the discs to last longer than this.

Low usage is usually the cause of corroded disks.
One the disk is damaged then the pads can be affected as well and both need replacing.
Shame you did not ask for the old parts and post photos.
I never trust MOT places that also do servicing !!

[mwvw]

As you say Colb66 - it would depend on the type of driving.
I would have been really disappointed with only 15k before having new discs - any reason.
So far the Passat has had to put up with a range from some town to motorway. However for us the normal type is mainly A road and dual carriageway. Driving type is fairly gentle (have to say that as the wife is the one who has the car the most).

I think Lex that I would rule out corrosion as the car hasn't stood for any length of time, as it is in almost daily use and I haven't had to BANG the brakes off at any time to free them up.

Should have tried to get the old parts as it would have satisfied my curiosity as to why the Drivers side was badly pitted and Passengers side pitted and why it happened in a year between the MOTs.

Next time I won't be so complacement and give the car a better check over before putting it in for its MOT.

[Glaikit]

Front discs were replaced for the first time at 95,000. Rear brakes were replaced for second time (ie on third rear set) at same mileage. Hmmmmm. Corrosion seems a problem on rears. Hilly, cross country commute every day so they do get used.

[sherlockuk]

My front disks look as if they have had the incorrect pads fitted on them before at some point. It looks as if they pads previously fitted were far to small in size, hence the inner part of the disk is worn down leaving a ridge to the outer edge and in towards the centre of the hub!

The pads now fitted cover the entire disk, but the outer part of the disk is pitted where the pad has part worn away the corrosion that had built up.

But I had it MOT'd the other week and it passed, they noted the brakes as an advisory. Is this a common problem with the Passat or was it just a dumb ******* fitting incorrect pads?

[Glaikit]

Pads do not go to the edge of the disc. Noted that on a Mk IV Golf and current Passat, owned both from new.

[Fireblade69]

Low usage is usually the cause of corroded disks.
One the disk is damaged then the pads can be affected as well and both need replacing.
Shame you did not ask for the old parts and post photos.
I never trust MOT places that also do servicing !!

Did ye know that if your local, or non local for that matter, council depot has an MoT station for it's own vehicles then legally, they must make them available for the use of any member of the public on request.

Seeing as most council depots are very unlikely to have any form of insurance to cover them doing mechanical work on members of the public's vehicles even if they did have the inclincation, they gain nothing by failing a vehicle for no genuine reason.

Peace of mind if you need an MoT and don't trust your local garages.