I've seen a lot of conflicting info and opinions on this.

 

Pads have done 55k/5yr miles from new on an Octy Scout, not much of which as been 2020. There is no noise, significant scoring etc, but there is some pitting on the discs noted by indy garage on MOT advisory.

 

They suggest pads and discs all around, but obviously we have conflicting motivations here, and I know how often not-strictly-necessary stuff gets done.

 

In short, do I go pads-only acknowledging that there is a risk they have a reduced life? or is that half-jobbing a waste of time and get it all done at the same time?

 

I don't have costings yet, I'm guessing pads+fitting are prob half the cost of pads+discs.

 

I see it is common for people to expect 2 sets of pads before changing discs, is this a pretty safe rule of thumb? or is it pretty common to have to change discs after only a single pad?

In the absence of problematic scoring etc. is it worth just checking the disc thickness myself and if I'm less than, say. two-third of the way through the wear, go for pads only?

 

I've been bitten by aftermarket discs on my Mk1 Octy that died in 40% of the time of originals. What are people's thoughts on OEM vs various brands?

 

Assume I'm keeping the car for 5+ years, so playing the long game.

 

Cheers for your advice!

It is worth checking yourself how much friction material is left on the pads, measuring the discs thickness and then checking those figures with the Skoda minimums. I do my own servicing and I check them every time. However the Skoda minimum figures are just that and it may be prudent to change them before they get that low just like I never run tyres down to the legal minimum of 1.6mm tread depth. You also need to check whether the pads are contacting the discs all the way across the disc. I have had advisories about disc pitting on a few recent MOT's but the garage said that it was nothing to worry about. I consider brakes, along with tyres, to be very important for safety. As my Dad always says "Never start something that you cannot stop"!

Yeah, all sound advice, thanks.

 

I guess it all hinges on how far through their life the discs are so I should get the wheels off and get them measured.

 

Is there a good, trustworthy, source for max thicknesses in the public domain? 

 

Looking at parts websites the min thickness seems to vary.

16 minutes ago, Jono said:

Yeah, all sound advice, thanks.

 

I guess it all hinges on how far through their life the discs are so I should get the wheels off and get them measured.

 

Is there a good, trustworthy, source for max thicknesses in the public domain? 

 

Looking at parts websites the min thickness seems to vary.

Pop into a dealer & ask them to look it up for you on ETKA

Yeah, I'm sure that would do it, but be nice to avoid having to take a trip to a dealer if the info is available elsewhere.

 

 

 

11 minutes ago, Jono said:

Yeah, I'm sure that would do it, but be nice to avoid having to take a trip to a dealer if the info is available elsewhere.

 

 

 

I do know that Octavia front pads min thickness is 10mm and rear pads min thickness is 9mm. That figure includes the backplate.

I can’t remember  the minimum disc measurement but I’m sure it was 3mm less than the new disc measurement, therefore a 1.5mm lip on both faces meant they were at minimum size. 

If it has passed its mot then the brakes work ok, If there’s no vibrations or noise, I’d run until the pads reach min and then change the discs and pads.

Pitting of discs was reported on a car 3 MOT ago with new pads and discs the solution.

 

I looked and plenty of meat left so the car was taken out and a few decent slows from 70 to 20 were performed. Rust gone and no issue on any subsequent MOT.

 

The car had been sat for a while before the first MOT and it wouldn’t surprise me if sitting for 2020 would cause a similar issue.