How Do You Know When Your Brake Pads Are Worn

Your car’s braking system is one of the most important safety components on the road. Over time, your brake pads naturally wear down, affecting how well your vehicle stops. Recognising the early signs of wear can prevent costly repairs and keep you safe behind the wheel.

In this guide, we’ll explain how to know when your brake pads are worn, the warning signs to look out for, and what to do when it’s time for brake pad replacement.

Understanding How Brake Pads Work

Brake pads create friction against the brake rotors (or discs) to slow or stop your car. Each time you press the brake pedal, a small amount of friction material wears away. Eventually, this material becomes too thin to work effectively. That’s when you’ll start noticing symptoms that indicate your brake pads are worn out.

If left too long, worn pads can damage the rotors and increase the cost of your brake servicing.

How Do You Know When Your Brake Pads Are Worn?

Here are the most common signs your brake pads are due for replacement:

1. Squealing or Screeching Noises

One of the first signs of worn brake pads is a high-pitched squeal or screech. Most modern brake pads have a built-in wear indicator that makes noise when the pad material is running low.

If you consistently hear this sound when braking, it’s a good indication that your pads need attention.

2. Grinding Sound When Braking

A grinding noise often means the brake pads are completely worn down, allowing metal-to-metal contact with the rotor. At this stage, braking performance drops significantly, and the rotors may need resurfacing or replacement.

3. Reduced Braking Performance

If your car takes longer to stop or the pedal feels soft, your brake pads might not be providing enough friction. This can be dangerous, especially in emergency braking situations or wet conditions.

Getting a car brake inspection as soon as possible is the best way to confirm the cause.

4. Brake Warning Light

Some vehicles have a brake warning light that comes on when the system detects low pad thickness or fluid issues. While it could be due to other factors, it’s a clear sign to get your brake servicing checked.

5. Vibration or Pulsation

If you feel a vibration in the brake pedal or steering wheel, it could mean the brake pads are unevenly worn or the rotors are warped. Either issue requires immediate attention from a brake specialist.

6. Visually Thin Pads

You can also inspect your brake pads visually through the wheel spokes. If the pad material looks thinner than 3mm, it’s time to schedule a brake pad replacement.

Why Replacing Worn Brake Pads Is So Important

Driving with worn brake pads doesn’t just affect your stopping power — it can compromise your safety and increase wear on other components. Here’s what can happen if you delay replacement:

• Longer stopping distances increase accident risk.
• Overheated rotors, leading to warping or cracks.
• Higher repair costs — replacing rotors is far more expensive than just pads.
• Reduced overall braking performance and fuel efficiency.

Getting your pads replaced promptly ensures your car remains safe, efficient, and reliable.

How Often Should You Replace Brake Pads?

On average, brake pads last between 30,000 to 70,000 kilometres, depending on your driving habits and vehicle type. Frequent city driving or heavy braking wears them out faster.

As a general rule, it’s wise to get your brake servicing checked every 10,000–15,000 km during regular car servicing. We include a detailed car brake inspection with every service to help detect early signs of wear.

FAQs About Brake Pad Wear