Brake wear and corrosion

[SR-Manuel]

Has anyone else experienced their Corolla wearing out a set of front discs in 40k miles/4 years? The pads (originals) still have around 8mm of material but the discs are on the minimum and now need replacing.  I have never had a car wear out the discs quicker than the pads and usually get through 2 sets of pads before the discs need replacing.  

Also, corrosion on the rear discs.  This seems to be a common issue on hybrids but is Toyota doing anything about it or just expecting customers to Shell out for new pads and discs when there is nothing we can do to prevent it?

[FROSTYBALLS]

Brake discs have been considered as consumables for a number of years, and only carry limited cover on new car warranties (often around six months) regardless of manufacturer and whether the vehicle is petrol, diesel or hybrid.

 

[SR-Manuel]

Thanks, I appreciate that they are consumables but to have discs wear out before the first set of pads is a bit odd. 

As for the rears corroding due to the regenerative braking reducing the need for the actual brakes, the savings made on having a hybrid are diminished with having to replace a full set of discs and pads more often than a normal ICE.

[Cyker]

It's a known issue with hybrids and EVs in general due to the regen braking doing the lions' share of the braking, so the friction brakes don't get used as much and corrosion doesn't get polished off.

Teslas get it even worse because they have absolutely massive brake discs that barely get used; A lot of the third-party mechanics who service them always strip the brakes and wire brush all the brake hardware because they seize through too-little use.

There isn't really anything that can be done about it - Maybe if someone invented stainless steel discs or carbon-ceramics got a hell of a lot cheaper, but while car brake discs are made of iron they're always going to corrode. I tried to mitigate it by braking in N now and again, which forces the car to use the friction brakes instead of regen, but then realized it was pointless since they'd quickly get a patina again if e.g it rained.

I just stopped worrying about it - The brakes on my Mk4 have already outlasted the brakes in any of my previous cars and they still stop the car just fine so *shrug*.

[Roker]

Mine discs are rusty with large grove worn into it. Would a MOT or NCT not fail it

[SR-Manuel]

Apparently they are not an MOT fail but the dealership marked it as a Red on their service report.

[AndrueC]

Mine are a little bit rusty but that's typical for me. It's reminded me that I got an advisory on my last MoT though so perhaps on the way to the dealership in March I should give them a bit of a workout.

I hardly ever use my brakes so every car I've driven suffers a bit. I've never had to replace discs or pads despite owning cars for over 40k miles.

As my old driving instructor told me 'Brakes are for stopping and for correcting mistakes'

😉

[Cyker]

Unless the discs are ridiculously rusty, like they've been left in a field for 10 years, the MOT usually won't fail it on a bit of rust alone - They're more concerned about its thickness.

Even on my normal cars the discs would be bright orange with rust after I washed the car (Back when I could still be bothered to do that regularly  )

 

[AndrueC]

It didn't mention rust to be fair.

 

[twintopp]

normal rust build up rubs off with braking , in answer to the original question are the discs worn down completely or uneven which would still involve replacement.

[TonyHSD]

All Toyota hybrids suffer brake issues because of one reason only., regenerative braking that keeps cold brake components resulting a  corrosion and premature wear.  
The brakes need more often service and they will last ages. 
When driving try to use the brakes more moderately, ensuring the actual brakes stops the car and not only regenerative braking slowing you down. 
This adds more power to the Battery, cleans the brakes and does not affect efficiency, actually helps a bit. Moderate to faster drivers can achieve better average fuel consumption than those who drives like old school cabbies.