Brake pads wearing thin
Last reviewed 22 October 2026. General information, not advice about a particular car.
Fix soon Will get worse and may fail the next MOT. Budget for it in the next few months.
Brake pads are consumable; this one is near the end of its life. Replace soon or they will score the discs and the job gets more expensive. Below 1.5 mm it is a fail.
What the wording on the certificate means
You’ll usually see something like “Brake pad(s) wearing thin”, often with a position such as “nearside front” (the passenger side) and a reference to the MOT inspection manual in brackets.
The friction material on the brake pads is getting low. Pads are designed to wear and are replaced routinely, usually in a set of four on one axle.
Why it matters
Once the friction material is gone, the metal backing plate grinds against the brake disc. That damages the discs, makes a grinding noise and reduces braking.
What to do
- Ask the garage how much is left. Plan to replace them soon, especially if the car does a lot of town driving.
- Listen for squealing or grinding when you brake, and watch for a brake pad warning light if the car has one.
- Have the discs checked at the same time: worn discs are often replaced with the pads.
Will it fail the next MOT?
An advisory isn’t a fail, and the car can be driven, as long as it stays roadworthy. Pads less than 1.5 mm thick are a major defect and a fail.
If you’re buying a car with this advisory
Thin pads aren’t a reason to walk away, but they are a cost to factor in. If the same advisory shows up at test after test, it has probably been left unrepaired.
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