Confusing measurements could mean YOUR brakes are faulty – here’s how to find out if your safety is at risk
Readings given by mechanics don't give a clear picture of when drivers need to schedule a brake pad replacement
BRITISH motorists could be waiting too long to replace their brakes due to confusing measurements when they have their car serviced.
A recent study has found the way mechanics measure how worn your brake pads are could mean drivers leave it too long to change them - or fork out for new ones before they need to.
Conducted by , the study found that just under a quarter of garages guide drivers on how many miles they have left before they need new brake pads - the easiest way to keep track of essential brake maintenance.
But the majority of auto repairers use measurements that can confuse drivers and leave them unsure of when they need to book in for a replacement.
Around 30 per cent of garages measure wear in millimetres, while just over a third will use a percentage reading.
And while these indicators might make sense for mechanics and car enthusiasts, they aren't much use to the average driver.
Confusing measurements can mean drivers fail to get their pads replaced on time, or unwillingly waste money on new ones without getting the full wear.
Whereas if drivers are given a set mileage, they know exactly how long they can drive before they need new brakes.
The study also found franchised dealers to be least likely to give a mileage estimate, while independent garages did so in 25 per cent of cases.
To help drivers work out exactly when they need to book in for a brake replacement,
your guide to car maintenance
Motorists simply need to enter their car's registration, then input the depth measurements given to them by mechanics and they will be given a mileage estimate to let them know when to get new brake pads.
MotorEasy founder, Duncan McClure Fisher, said: “The majority of garages we analysed gave their customers a metric that means little or nothing when it comes to brake wear.
"Telling drivers that they have, say, 30 per cent wear left on their brake pads doesn’t tell them whether or not they should be thinking about getting them changed now or whether they have another 6 months of safe driving left before needing to get them replaced.”