How Often Should I Get New Brakes?

  • Replacing your brake pads can preserve your braking system for years.
    Replacing your brake pads can preserve your braking system for years.

Preserving Your Brakes

  • Brakes usually wear out as a result of driver negligence. Once brake pads become worn, the rotor begins to grind into the actual brake, which creates a squealing noise. If you replace your brake pads at the first sign of this, a braking system, including the rotors, can last indefinitely.

Faulty Brakes

  • There are reports of brakes wearing out after only 10,000 miles or less, according to Love to Know Cars. This is usually the result of manufacturing defects or engineering problems attributed to that specific make and model. If you are purchasing a new or used vehicle, it pays to do your homework to see if any specific cars have been reported with these problems.

Bottom Line

  • If you hear any squealing noises when braking, have the pads replaced in a timely manner, regardless of how many miles your vehicle has. The majority of the time, you will only need to replace the front brake pads to keep your brake system from deteriorating.