The car had its MOT end of March at 42k miles. They gave an advisory for all 4 brake pads, the fronts were changed (dealer said they were at 90%) but I opted to leave the rears (80% apparently). Since then I've done 4800 miles and I can see the pad thickness at the exposed edge has gone from 6mm to 5mm. Never seen a new rear pad, so no idea at what rate they're wearing. Question is, is there a minimum recommended pad thickness, as with tyre tread?

 

As long as there "IS" pad, I would not be concerned.

The usual thing is to look in a Haynes manual but I have no clue if there is one for your car. To be safe if it is less than 3mm then I would change them but that is only my opinion in the absence of any contradictory data from the manufacturer.

A warning light should come on your dash when they get too low so I wouldn't worry just yet, if they start to look like there isn't any pad left or say 1 or 2 mm then is change them, they should only cost £20-30 plus fitting.

Thanks. I'll run 'em down a bit more then.

 

Annoying that Haynes don't make a manual for the 1.6CR, I've been wondering if the 1.9PD manual would be worth having to hand (engine aside of course). Also had a thumb through the manual (duh) and sure enough there's mention of the warning light!

  Don't just check the outer pads you can see through the wheel though,sometimes the inner pads wear more than the outer ones, especially if the pads are tight in the carriers. Better to remove the wheels to inspect the pads IMO.

Isn't the warning light only linked up to one of the front pads so won't account for your new pads up front but old pads out back? 

Rear pads don't have wear indicators. Mine were metal to metal and no warning.

I agree the inner pad does wear quicker.

Good point, I'm only going by the outer pads. The wheels are filthy anyway, so a good excuse to have them off for a proper clean

Best check your disc thickness too.

 

My VRS wore out the discs before the pads.

I saw a couple of posts discussing disc thickness, presumably I can just measure up with a set of calipers and take a few readings around the disc to check for even wear?

 

Found this for a suggestion of minimum thickness, ir reckons 8 or 9mm minimum depending on disc size:

http://www.justpartsbiz.co.uk/acatalog/Skoda_Octavia_1.4_1.6_1.9DTi_Brake_Pads_and_Discs_2004-.html

 

Euro car parts says I have 255 or 260mm rear discs, will have to confirm later with a ruler.

 

If it was my car id remove the wheels,have a close look at the pads & if there is less than 3mm of pad material left id replace the pads,much better to change them now than let them wear out & damage the disc's. Pads are not that expensive & easy to fit as long as you have a piston wind back tool.