Trusted Car Mechanics in Worksop

Brakes are one of the key components of your car, responsible for slowing down and stopping safely. In emergencies, they can bring a car to an immediate halt, reducing the risk of collisions with other others as well as cyclists and pedestrians. If brakes are faulty, their response time could be slower, making accidents more likely. If you’re wondering “How often do my brakes need to be changed?”, keep reading. In this article, we’ve taken a closer look at when to change brakes to keep them working safely and effectively.    When do brakes need replacing? Generally, brakes need replacing once they wear down to a certain thickness, or they show signs of significant wear. In the UK, the minimum thickness for brake pads allowed by law is 1.5mm. However, it’s best to replace them before they reach this level to ensure optimal braking performance and safety. Many experts recommend replacing brake pads when they have approximately 3-4mm of thickness remaining. Most brake pads last between 30,000-70,000 miles, or sometimes more, depending on driving habits and environment and the materials used in the pads. Factors such as driving in heavy traffic and frequent stop-and-go driving can cause brakes to wear down more quickly. The brakes on a car driven in a busy city centre may only last 25,000 miles, whereas those on the same car driven on the motorway could easily last 60,000 miles or more.  Read on to find out more.