mechanics.tradeBrake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick
This was recorded 709,059 times on cars and light vans in 2025, which makes it number 8 on the list of things that stop a car passing.
709,059recorded in 2025
8on the national list
3.4%of the top forty defects
What the tester is looking at
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
What you can do about it
Pads wear down gradually. Most garages will check them free of charge while the car is up.
How serious it counts as
The tester records this as a dangerous defect. What the categories mean.
All forty defects, from 42,728,066 MOT tests in 2025.