Recorded in
2.9% 17% fail
of every MOT test in our data — 3,269,739 records across 2,013 models.
Brakes → Brake discs worn
The Brake discs worn MOT failure is recorded in 2.9% of all MOT tests in the DVSA data — 3,269,739 records across 2,013 models. A typical repair costs £45–£110. This page explains what the item means, how testers write it down, what a repair usually involves and Citroen C3 Aircross records it most often for its size.
Advisory only
83%
were noted without failing the car.
Typical cost
£45–£110
Usually a DIY or independent-garage job. Estimate, fitted where needed.
What Brake discs worn means on an MOT
Brake discs worn is an MOT inspection item in the brakes section of the manual. The tester records it when they see the condition the description names — here, when brake discs worn. Brakes are checked for the minimum material the manual requires and for even, effective operation, so a thin pad or a scored disc can fail the car. The failure is reported against that rule, so the page uses the tester's own wording.
How common is Brake discs worn on an MOT?
Recorded in 2.9% of every MOT test in our data — 3,269,739 records across 2,013 models. That is 3% in every hundred tests, which puts Brake discs worn in the middle of the items testers record.
Of the 3,269,739 records for this item, 16.6% of the records are a fail (Major or Dangerous), 0.3% were put right at the test and recorded as rectified and 83.1% are advisories that did not fail the car.
Other things testers write about this item
Testers do not all write the same thing. These are the exact DVSA strings from the records for this item, each with how many tests it was written on — the page's keyword vocabulary comes straight from them.
- Brake discs in such a condition that it is seriously weakened — 10,496,042 records
- Brake pads worn down to wear indicator — 155,528 records
- Brake fluid significantly below minimum mark — 102,877 records
- Lever pivot obviously worn — 12,528 records
- Brake discs contaminated — 11,200 records
- Lever ratchet mechanism obviously worn — 11,011 records
- Brake drums significantly and obviously worn — 5,350 records
- Brake discs fractured — 1,250 records
What does it cost to fix Brake discs worn?
A typical repair on this item costs £45–£110 at UK prices, and it is usually a DIY or independent-garage job. The bracket is our estimate from reported prices and parts, rather than a DVSA figure — see how it is built on the method page.
How the price brackets are built · full repair cost list · add it to your fail-sheet total.
Models that record Brake discs worn most often
As a rate of each model's own tests, Citroen C3 Aircross and Vauxhall Crossland X Griffin lead the list: Citroen C3 Aircross records it on 6.7% of its tests. The rate, not the volume, is what matters here — a model with 20,000 tests can outrank one with a million.
| # | Model | Rate | Tests | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Citroen C3 Aircross | 6.7% | 94,473 | — |
| 2 | Vauxhall Crossland X Griffin | 6.4% | 22,851 | — |
| 3 | DS DS3 | 6.2% | 118,672 | — |
| 4 | Vauxhall Crossland | 6.1% | 143,077 | — |
| 5 | Citroen C3 Picasso | 6.1% | 23,169 | — |
| 6 | Citroen DS3 | 6.1% | 290,266 | — |
| 7 | Peugeot 2008 | 5.9% | 443,611 | 2.0× · year by year → |
| 8 | Renault Megane | 5.5% | 411,704 | — |
| 9 | Renault Grand Scenic | 5.4% | 83,873 | — |
| 10 | Citroen C4 Cactus | 5.3% | 74,323 | — |
| 11 | Renault Scenic | 5.3% | 145,797 | — |
| 12 | Toyota Verso | 5.2% | 97,744 | — |
| 13 | Fiat 500L | 5.2% | 64,243 | — |
| 14 | Vauxhall Crossland X | 5.1% | 29,529 | — |
| 15 | Citroen C3 | 5.1% | 710,132 | — |
| 16 | Jeep Renegade | 5.0% | 92,469 | — |
| 17 | SsangYong Tivoli | 4.9% | 22,644 | — |
| 18 | Peugeot 307 | 4.9% | 121,498 | — |
| 19 | Kia Carens | 4.9% | 55,416 | — |
| 20 | Smart Mcc Forfour | 4.8% | 78,825 | — |
Which years of car record Brake discs worn
| Year | Recorded in |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 3.1% |
| 2011 | 3.2% |
| 2012 | 3.3% |
| 2013 | 3.4% |
| 2014 | 3.4% |
| 2015 | 3.4% |
| 2016 | 3.3% |
| 2017 | 3.2% |
| 2018 | 3.0% |
| 2019 | 2.6% |
| 2020 | 2.0% |
| 2021 | 1.7% |
| 2022 | 1.2% |
| 2023 | 0.6% |
| 2024 | 0.2% |
| 2025 | 1.0% |
These are rates by year of registration from 2010 to 2025, not year of test, so the curve mostly reflects age — a recent car has barely been to a test station. Compare models at the same age instead.
Frequently asked questions about Brake discs worn
How common is Brake discs worn on an MOT?
It is recorded in 2.9% of all MOT tests — 3,269,739 records across 2,013 models.
Does Brake discs worn fail the MOT or just get an advisory?
16.6% of the records for it are a fail, 0.3% were fixed at the test, 0.0% are minor and 83.1% are advisories. In short, it is an advisory or minor most of the time rather than a fail.
Which cars record Brake discs worn most often?
Citroen C3 Aircross and Vauxhall Crossland X Griffin head the list, at a rate of each model's own tests — Citroen C3 Aircross records it on 6.7%. Only models with at least 20,000 recorded tests are shown.
How much does it cost to fix Brake discs worn?
Typically £45–£110 fitted, and it is usually a DIY or independent-garage job. That is an estimate from reported prices, not a DVSA figure.
All 83 common MOT failures → Repair cost list → Failed your MOT? What now →