Tips on Buying Cars: certified preowned?, brake lathe, lathe machine

Question
five months ago I bought a certified preowned volvo (2003 S60).  since then i have probably put about 9,000 miles on it.  i just had it serviced (37,500 mile regular service) and mentioned that i had been getting an excessive amount of brake dust on the front wheels. the volvo dealer then told me my front brakes needed replaced - rotors and pads - UGH!!!  when i asked why my certified preowned car needed brakes so quickly they just said that 5 months and 9,000 miles just did them in.  i thought if the brakes were in this bad of condition, only having a few months left on them, that they would have been replaced as a part of their 130+ point inspection.  am i expecting too much?  how bad do the brakes have to be upon inspection before they are replaced?  help!!!!  thanks!!

Answer
Hi Kellie; It sounds to me to be a little early on pads and rotors at 37,500 on a Volvo, but it depends on how it was driven. Fronts normally wear about twice the rate of rears. Brake dust will occur, even on new pads. It is time to replace the brake pads when the thickness of the pad has been worn down to a point where they are no longer flat and smooth. Brake pads are the least expensive part of the brake system. Rotors, however can be costly if they need to be replaced. Rotors can be machined an a brake lathe machine to restore them to like new condition, providing that the surface of them have not been gouged or damaged by wearing the pads too thin or other brake malfunctions. This is a great and common alternative to replacing them because it is much less expensive. Rotors can only be "turned" a couple of times until thay become too thin, and compromise the integrity of the brakes. That is why it is important to keep the pads maintained so not to cause damage to other expensive parts. I really doubt that at 37K miles, that your rotors need replaced. On the issue of a certified used vehicle, let me tell you this. To qualify a "certified" used car, it must be of a certain age and mileage. The dealer must perform his numerous point inspection. Brake pads should be a part of this inspection. More often than not, service personnel will oil change, check lights and road test a vehicle on arrival, make it look pretty and send it out! I think you have couple of options. I would approach the dealer first. If the Volvo's original warrantee is "Bumper to Bumper" over the mileage you have on the car, it should be covered. If you purchased an extended warrantee when you purchased the car, the brakes may or may not be covered. If you were at my dealership, after only 9000 miles, even if you weren't covered by the warrantees, I would at least offer to replace the pads at a discount rate, just to retain you as a customer. If they won't do that, I would bring your car to an outside brake mechanic for another opinion as to what REALLY needs to be repaired. I hope I was of some help. I try to refrain from recommending any companies or people on line, but I will be glad to provide you with a few names of some good brake shops if you want. Contact my cell phone anytime @ 678-447-8992. I am Eastern time.----Jim Sears