This topic borders the surreal 🙃

But then again, brake (and clutch, by extension) fluid is something rarely taken care outside of the realm of the "fanatics" ... pity. Because the consequences can be dramatic.

A point not extensively explained after the earlier topic referencing an accident, is that by being hygroscopic, the fluid will absorb moisture in the air (not the air), which will not only diminish the boiling temp of the fluid, but will act like an accelerated corrosive element especially in the most critical, closer to the calipers, and the one that heats the most in hard braking.

At minimum, you an see the fluid color ... if lot limpid and honey-like, is well enough past replacement. And its cost is negigible ....

Another extremely neglected item: coolant! But let's leave that for another topic....

Amazing ZJZ you escaped for so long this aspect of motoring ... 🤪

10 minutes ago, leolito said:

This topic borders the surreal 🙃

But then again, brake (and clutch, by extension) fluid is something rarely taken care outside of the realm of the "fanatics" ... pity. Because the consequences can be dramatic.

A point not extensively explained after the earlier topic referencing an accident, is that by being hygroscopic, the fluid will absorb moisture in the air (not the air), which will not only diminish the boiling temp of the fluid, but will act like an accelerated corrosive element especially in the most critical, closer to the calipers, and the one that heats the most in hard braking.

At minimum, you an see the fluid color ... if lot limpid and honey-like, is well enough past replacement. And its cost is negigible ....

Another extremely neglected item: coolant! But let's leave that for another topic....

Amazing ZJZ you escaped for so long this aspect of motoring ... 🤪

Not realy me, in 45 years literally, not one dealer shop (under warranty) and not one smaller shop, nobody EVER even mentioned brake fluid change !

I was always carefull to do all scheduled services,mostly even ahead of time. Some of those shop owners were my friends and realy, very good mechanics ......so imagine now my surprise.

Btw, what are brake fluid specs and capacity for 2023 Superb estate, 2.0 TDI,DSG?

Owner manual is completely useless

Edited 19 January19 Jan by ZJZ

6 minutes ago, ZJZ said:

Not realy me, in 45 years literally, not one dealer shop (under warranty) and not one smaller shop, nobody EVER even mentioned brake fluid change !

I am not surprised ... I am lil above 5-0 and dealing with cars half of those years, and sometimes I still embattle with "people in the trade" who sustain things like "coolant is for life" and such ... oh well. So it is ...

Unfortunately you will not find this in the owner's manual, as it is "left to the dealer".

For fluid, any good DOT4 will do (I favor ATE or Febi, in any case renown products). Capacity should be ... with one liter you will have more than enough, I seem to remember overall fill from empty was 1-1.15lt, but there is alway some left.

You need diagnostic system to open/close the ABS pump though, so maybe some assistance will be needed.

Edited 19 January19 Jan by leolito

4 minutes ago, leolito said:

I am not surprised ... I am lil above 5-0 and dealing with cars half of those years, and sometimes I still embattle with "people in the trade" who sustain things like "coolant is for life" and such ... oh well. So it is ...

Unfortunately you will not find this in the owner's manual, as it is "left to the dealer".

For fluid, any good DOT4 will do (I favor ATE or Febi, in any case renown products). Capacity should be ... with one liter you will have more than enough, I seem to remember overall fill from empty was 1-1.15lt, but there is alway some left.

You need diagnostic system to open/close the ABS pump though, so maybe some assistance will be needed.

Ok, DOT4, thanks .....long life or regular?

I think I saw both variants , not sure.

Edited 19 January19 Jan by ZJZ

46 minutes ago, ZJZ said:

Ok, DOT4, thanks .....long life or regular?

I think I saw both variants , not sure.

Given the highly hygroscopic nature of DOT4, I doubt there is such a product as 'long-life' brake fluid.

DOT4 is the required references in VAG workshop manuals.

You can find DOT4 in any autostore, some wear specific mention "ABS and ESC compliant". Regarding brands, I've used Valeo, Febi, Ferrodo and Brembo several times without problem.

As I do it myself, I rather buy 1.5 liter, just to be sure I have enough fluid to do one of the four calipers twice, if needed... And this costs less than €20.

Having it done by a local mechanic is around €80.

All the above written is correct, except 'Ferodo' and not 'FeRRodo" but we forgive him because he has left us ... 😁

I have never seen "long life" brake/clutch fluid ... don't trust that.

Some brands come in 500ml containers, also useful, considering the limited shelf-life of the product once opened ...

So 'essential' is the brake fluid change that I have now visited my Skoda dealer four times under my service plan and they have asked if I want a brake fluid change at my cost.

It isn't even part of the service plan yet they want you to have it change as part of a schedule?

£££££££££££

Brake fluid change isn't the same as the usual 'Cash Cow' scams - possibly not actually required as frequently as stated, but the fluid should at least be tested for water content on a regular basis and changed when required.

I don't see members deriding regular oil changes as being an unnecessary cash grab.

The brakes are your primary safety system - and terminal brake-fade is something you really do not want to experience!

9 minutes ago, Warrior193 said:

Brake fluid change isn't the same as the usual 'Cash Cow' scams - possibly not actually required as frequently as stated, but the fluid should at least be tested for water content on a regular basis and changed when required.

I don't see members deriding regular oil changes as being an unnecessary cash grab.

The brakes are your primary safety system - and terminal brake-fade is something you really do not want to experience!

I would imagine an MOT would identify any dangerous brake fluid issues surely?

Well, that and Skoda's own service report had the brake system down as green with no issues, after I had declined the opportunity to pay for a fluid change with no real reason given as to why, other than it was on the 'upsell' section of my printed service request.

Edited 21 January21 Jan by Gax

Pretty sure that the fluid is not tested for MOT, and the brake efficiency test that is actually part of the MOT would almost certainly NOT show up high moisture content in the braking system - that WILL show up in braking while descending a long slope - or a hard stop from high speed!

12 hours ago, leolito said:

All the above written is correct, except 'Ferodo' and not 'FeRRodo" but we forgive him because he has left us ... 😁

I have never seen "long life" brake/clutch fluid ... don't trust that.

Some brands come in 500ml containers, also useful, considering the limited shelf-life of the product once opened ...

Errr... Another mystypo?... 😁

Hi ,

Should DOT 5 be used on road cars ?

MOT,s in the UK are just so easy to get a Pass.

Edited 22 January22 Jan by Evolution13

Hi , I use to have a large 4x4 that I have to my daughter partner.

The car had been of the road for years and it failed on two points , windscreen wipers and a little corroded on a structural area.

Gave OK to repair and received my piece of paper.

He collected the car and took it to his mate who repaired cars , mechanic inspected the repair and was no to happy in what he found.

A structural repair was fixed by using filler !

@dsgman Was it the MOT Test Stations workshop that you gave the OK to carry out the repairs and then get a retest done? If so then the DVSA is who you tell the tale to and let them have the car examined.

Hi Evalution 13 ,

My experience will the DVSA is that they would not to investigate my concerns.

If they did take up the issue it can take weeks and you cannot drive the car until it's been re inspected ( it use to be the car but not sure what the position is now )

Other issue the car has been repaired.

A friend of mine use to be an MOT inspector and he it's still down to the tester on the day !

4 hours ago, Evolution13 said:

MOT,s in the UK are just so easy to get a Pass.

The specific code 1.1.11 (c) is technically the failure code for "excessively corroded" pipes. However, the distinction between an advisory and a failure is often a "judgement call" by the inspector based on the following: 

1. The "Surface Rust" vs. "Pitting" Rule

• Advisory: If the corrosion is just surface rust or scale that hasn't eaten into the metal, it is usually recorded as an advisory so you can monitor it.

• Fail (Major): If the corrosion has caused deep pitting or the pipe's wall thickness is reduced by more than 1/3 (roughly 0.25mm), it must be failed under 1.1.11 (c). 

2. Benefit of the Doubt

According to the DVSA MOT Inspection Manual, if a tester is unsure whether the corrosion is severe enough to be a failure, they are instructed to give the benefit of the doubt to the vehicle owner. In these cases, they will pass the car but issue an advisory note. 

@Stonekeeper Yes i know. I also know that over the past 8 years has been fails and advisories and which have been there a few years back and not in the years in between.

10 minutes ago, Evolution13 said:

@Stonekeeper Yes i know. I also know that over the past 8 years has been fails and advisories and which have been there a few years back and not in the years in between.

I think sometimes the tester is just covering their back by over advising due to lack of experience where another would have better knowledge of oxidation and how bad it was.

I got tyre advisories at 3.5mm which is over twice the limit and only on one part of the tyres. I do 5,000 miles a year so could be a good while before I change at 3mm across the centre 75%.

I suppose it's useful for those who don't do checks themselves which is probably common nowadays

On 19/01/2026 at 08:52, ZJZ said:

Oh, misunderstanding. Of course I'll change it, just dont have confidence in authorised dealer shops. Because of warranty it's required to be done only by them.

This comes under “maintenance” and that doesn’t need to be carried out by a dealer to maintain the warranty. Only the annual servicing does.

All your haldex servicing, brake fluid changes, air con regassing etc can be done by independents as long as they can update the online service history.

In fact the classic one is that dealers aren’t required to clean the gauze on the haldex pump as it’s not in the workshop manual to do. Good VAG specialists know to do it so you get better results (although some dealers identify this and will do it if asked and charge the extra time). Hope that helps

13 hours ago, dsgman said:

Hi ,

Should DOT 5 be used on road cars ?

NO, definitely not! - DOT5 is not compatible with most / all ABS systems.

DOT5.1 MAY be suitable though