New front discs at 34,000 miles? (55,000 km in new money)

[ChrisMiller]

My PHEV has just been in for its 5-year service (expensive enough on its own at just over £500), but I'm told I need a new pair of discs on the front (another £500+). Has anyone else experienced similar? My previous car (Honda Civic VTi) did 140,000 miles over 12 years and never needed new discs (occasional new brake blocks, obviously). I feel a strongly worded letter to Mitsubishi coming on as (of course) they're not covered under warranty ('wear and tear'). I'd expect brake components to last longer on a PHEV, where part of the braking is managed electrically.

[EssexBoy]

Well unless you drive like a hoolie (and I am pretty sure you don't) my guess is your dealer needs to generate a bit of work/revenue. Are the disks grooved? You can certainly run through two sets of pads before considering replacing disks - my front disks have done twice your mileage almost and they just passed the MOT okay. Get an opinion and or quote from a couple of independents as there's nothing special about our front disks/pads - I guarantee they will come in way under £500 ! Its likely you only need pads in reality.

[BCbackroader]

Are you in a very hilly area? Most of my driving is near level, with a few moderate hills each day, and at 129,000 km ( just over 80,000mi), I'm still good on the original pads, never mind the discs. I've been very pleased with the brake wear on this car.

[Nibbo]

I was a bit shocked that mine needed new pads and disks after just 24k miles, especially as I rarely use the brake.
I am sure previous cars have done 40-60k...

Anyway, further investigation showed that one of my calipers was binding a little. A new caliper was also required

Needless to say that since everything was replaced (by a local mechanic not £2,000 from Mitsy dealer) they are not binding anymore and the EV range has increased by about 20%.

I guess it was from lack of use that they seized so I tend to use them a bit more than I did before.

[ThudnBlundr]

If you drive sensibly, the car doesn't need to use the physical disks much for slowing except when the battery is full. It could be that lack of use caused corrosion to build-up, and that is not good for longevity.

[littlescrote]

If you drive sensibly, the car doesn't need to use the physical disks much for slowing except when the battery is full. It could be that lack of use caused corrosion to build-up, and that is not good for longevity.

The last few mph before coming to a stop also uses the physical brakes which is enough to wear off disc surface corrosion.

[AndyInOz]

My dealer complains because my disks and pads are still new, showing no wear.

Of course people who are more knowledgeable than me will explain that using the brakes rather than setting the regenerative levels via the paddles is exactly the same, and this can't happen.

[ChrisMiller]

Thanks for your input everyone. It seems it was the brakes binding, for reasons unknown. I reported (a couple of months ago) squealing when travelling round bends, so that was probably it. At least the estimated mileage on the guessometer may improve.

[littlescrote]

The brakes binding is not for reasons unknown - it's because they're poor quality calipers and don't get exercised much.

What have you had done to prevent them binding again? New calipers under warranty?

[Nibbo]

What have you had done to prevent them binding again? New calipers under warranty?

New calipers for mine, NOT under warranty.