hmmm. Continuing my ongoing sceptism of local dealer, I was informed by them that my brake pads (F+R) were 99.5% worn with "tens not hundreds" of miles left on them. Politely declined the offer to replace them.

On closer inspection there appears to be a good 3-4mm of pad material left (F+R), at least on the outer pads. And the pad wear indicator has not come on yet, which I would expect if they wer 99.5% worn.

1. how does the pad wear indicator actually work? I'd love to see Bobby pull out one of his links...
2. is there a reliable visual way to estimate pad wear?
3. car has 20k on the clock and is driven enthusiastically.. what sort of lifespan are people getting with pads? I bought her at 15k and dont know if pads had been changed previously

thanks

The pads simply have embedded wires in the material and once they wear to expose the wires it makes contact with the disc and creates a circuit which illuminates brake pad warning light.

The sensor is not in the pads it sits along side the front left pad and rear right (or other way around - but not each corner) - it does wear as the pads wear and either shorts closed or wears open in electronic terms. The dealer is BS'ing with 10's not 100's comments - IIRC my light came on and then you potentially have 600-1000 miles of use left depending on driving style. The light will (or used to ) flicker on for a while until the sensor becomes adequately worn, i had two sets on my last RRS in around 41K - that was with heavy wear....

Try another dealer or call his bluff he is talking BS IMO

Also - catch it early and you can save on not needing new sensors (around £7 &£12 ea IIRC) front and rears pads were around £110, again IIRC - a DIY job if confident?

thanks for the very useful info MAW. will update you with progress.. yes could do DIY if necessary, last time i did was on a 1989 ford fiesta XR2 mind.....

Pm if you need more mate