Brake discs worn or scored
Last reviewed 22 October 2026. General information, not advice about a particular car.
Keep an eye on it Normal wear or minor. Check it at the next service.
Discs wear with the pads and show surface pitting or a lip at the edge. Usually they are replaced together with the next set of pads. "Not seriously weakened" means they are still safe for now.
What the wording on the certificate means
You’ll usually see something like “Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened”, often with a position such as “nearside front” (the passenger side) and a reference to the MOT inspection manual in brackets.
The brake discs the pads clamp onto have worn thinner, or their surface has scoring (grooves) or pitting from rust. The tester judged them safe for now.
Why it matters
Worn or pitted discs brake less well and wear pads faster. A raised lip at the outer edge is a sign of wear. Pitting is common on cars that sit unused, because rust forms on the braking surface.
What to do
- Ask whether the discs are near their minimum thickness. It’s stamped on the disc and the garage can measure it.
- Discs are replaced in pairs on the same axle, usually with new pads.
- Juddering through the pedal or steering wheel when you brake suggests uneven discs.
Will it fail the next MOT?
An advisory isn’t a fail, and the car can be driven, as long as it stays roadworthy. A disc that is seriously weakened, insecure or badly worn is a major fail.
If you’re buying a car with this advisory
Common on high-mileage cars and cars that have stood for a while. Check the service history for when they were last replaced. If the same advisory shows up at test after test, it has probably been left unrepaired.
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