Carl Levoir

Active Member
Jan 2, 2019
76
25
I have just had a service and MOT done on my 2017 2.0TDI Leon with 40k miles

The front shocks need replacing as they are leaking, disappointing at such low age / mileage and not something I have had to do on such a young car in the past. I have been quoted £500 to replace both. Does this sound reasonable I am close to London, looking at Euro Car Parts I can see that the shocks are £100 each to buy?

Also they are stating the rear pads are 85% worn out and this has come up as an advisory on the MOT too. But they note that the fronts rare only 50% worn, how can this be on a heavy diesel car, you would think that the fronts would wear first????? Also they are suggesting that the rear discs need changing at the same time, despite only doing 40k miles and no mention that they have reached their minimum thickness??? I have driven cars to well over 100k miles in the past and never changed rear pads or discs.

What do people think? Only thing I can think is that because it has electric handbrake it is being applied a lot more than a manual handbrake car?
 
May not be the original set of pads, fronts usually go first so could be second or third set.
 
They are the original pads as I bought the car ex demo with 3k miles on the clock

My VW specialist gave me the percentages / prices - VWAudi Tech in Chelmsford
 
SEAT dealer quoted me £335 to replace 1 side. Surprised they didn't say they need doing as a pair.
 
They are the original pads as I bought the car ex demo with 3k miles on the clock

My VW specialist gave me the percentages / prices - VWAudi Tech in Chelmsford
Well if they are the original pads and your rears wore before the fronts you have a brake problem my friend ?. That is imposible you will have had at least a set of pads on the front as the car is 4 years old. I think you should contact guiness book of records about being the first man to drive 100,000 miles without a brake pad or disc change ?. Good luck with the car sounds like you need a magician not a mechanic.
 
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Ha Ha :) What I meant is that I have driven 100k miles before in other cars without having to change the rear pads or discs.

Front pads are only 50% worn @ 40k miles, but a lot of my daily mileage is A roads and motorway
 
Ha Ha :) What I meant is that I have driven 100k miles before in other cars without having to change the rear pads or discs.

Front pads are only 50% worn @ 40k miles, but a lot of my daily mileage is A roads and motorway
Does your car have Adaptive Cruise Control and if so, do you use it?

I believe ACC uses the rear brakes to adjust the speed of the car when ACC is active, rather than relying on engine braking to slow the car down. So using ACC could mean heavier rear brake wear then maybe expected.
 
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It's well known that the front shocks have an oil mist at some point in their life, usually quite early on. If this didn't come up as an advisory in your recent MOT, I'd leave it until next year.
 
Does your car have Adaptive Cruise Control and if so, do you use it?

I believe ACC uses the rear brakes to adjust the speed of the car when ACC is active, rather than relying on engine braking to slow the car down. So using ACC could mean heavier rear brake wear then maybe expected.
Well my daughter's May 2019 Cupra, to me, looks like it is doing the same thing, ie rears wearing a lot quicker than fronts!
I'd really need to be given the time to check that - also the rears are badly discoloured more than rusted/corroded and even sometimes looks to me like they are "blued" which kind of ties in with the "maybe" accelerated rear pad wear. I have never ever driven that car, only been in it once when it was new, she is what I'd consider to be a smart/good/sympathetic driver - so I wonder if it is the ACC, before reading this I had a hunch that it could be due to some of the car's driver aid systems, and the most obvious being the ACC!
 
I have just had a service and MOT done on my 2017 2.0TDI Leon with 40k miles

The front shocks need replacing as they are leaking, disappointing at such low age / mileage and not something I have had to do on such a young car in the past. I have been quoted £500 to replace both. Does this sound reasonable I am close to London, looking at Euro Car Parts I can see that the shocks are £100 each to buy?

Also they are stating the rear pads are 85% worn out and this has come up as an advisory on the MOT too. But they note that the fronts rare only 50% worn, how can this be on a heavy diesel car, you would think that the fronts would wear first????? Also they are suggesting that the rear discs need changing at the same time, despite only doing 40k miles and no mention that they have reached their minimum thickness??? I have driven cars to well over 100k miles in the past and never changed rear pads or discs.

What do people think? Only thing I can think is that because it has electric handbrake it is being applied a lot more than a manual handbrake car?
Regarding your dampers I would imagine you are comparing genuine parts to after market? ECP don't see genuine parts.

Sounds like your rear brakes might be binding a little.
I would recommend changing pads and discs at the same time - much less chance of brake noise.

Electric handbrake is nothing to do with this - it only ever applies whilst stationary - so no sliding friction = no wear.

On my Audi A4 B6 (heavy quattro diesel) I did over 90k miles on a set of front and rear brakes - only had to change the brakes due to a caliper piston binding issue. The more you use brakes to quicker they wear out - I was driving economically in the Audi trying to eek out every drop of fuel - which also means avoiding the brake pedal.
 
It's well known that the front shocks have an oil mist at some point in their life, usually quite early on. If this didn't come up as an advisory in your recent MOT, I'd leave it until next year.
This! My wifes 16 plate Leon was misting after 3 years and was just told to monitor it, wouldnt replace them yet.

Remember rear brakes are used by adaptive cruise to adjust speed. If you have haldex it will use them to direct drive to the other wheel. All VAG cars I think use rear brakes to stabilise the car when braking.
 
Front shocks were advised as misting at the previous service, but are now leaking at the latest service with an advisory note on the MOT + the specialist have provided a video of the service showing the leaking too. Disappointed at only 4 years old & 40k miles.

The car doesn't have ACC, and very surprised to see the rear pads wear quicker than the fronts. I'll probably have pads & discs at the sane time to ensure all is new and to head off any potential issues if the calipers are binding.

I had a Octavia which I took to 180k miles and a Jetta which I took to 140k miles, both of which have not had worn shocks / pads / disc wear so quickly - both diesel. So are VAG cheapening the parts???