Amateur question. My 1y old RRS diesel, auto, 2013, last one of the old module, perfect car, had its first service today.16k miles. All OK but had brake pad wear ROS, 3mm left on the outside. All others 5mm.
I thought the front does go first?
Any advice would be great.  Brin

Hi, not an amateur question at all. The pads at the front are quite a lot bigger than the rears (well they are on my TDV8 anyway) because as you correctly imply they do most of the work.

So big pads on front working hard and puny little pads on the back means about similar running life.

If there is more wear on one rear set of pads than the others then I'd be looking for a problem with a partially seized caliper on one side or the other. (Unless you have been making a daily habit of going round bends so fast the stability control is kicking in and always on the same side )

The rear calipers are cheap nasty single pot cast iron things that don't really belong on a quality vehicle IMHO. Need a good strip clean and lubricate at regular intervals really.

OR - instead of all the above - (and look out here comes a rant):
The dealer is playing one of the standard money - grabbing scams. Does this sound familiar? "Well sir your pads and discs are pretty worn and will need replacing within the next few thousand miles so would you like us to change them now?"
Most likely the pads and discs have loads of wear left but it is easy money - an hours work (but charge for two) and multiply the cost of the parts by five and then add VAT - KERCHING!

Rant ends. 2008 MY Java Black TDV8 HSE

Rant
Had that feeling this morning. Only £220 sir, done in an hour. Ended up now with big red stamps on my paperwork, REFUSED ESSENTIAL WORK !!  Brin

£220 for rear pads

Dread to think what they stung you for the service

I paid just shy of £700 for front and rear pads at my service last month!

That was with the rear pads being replaced when i purchased the car 5k miles previously...

Don't forget that if the vehicle has stability control or any sort of electronic active "diff" it will kill rear pads too - as they brake rear wheels individually during cornering to trim the line....

I've heard that many modern brands have had similar issues with unexpected pad wear Every home should have one!

'06 RRS SC Rimini Red
'04 Audi S4 Avant
Escort Mk II Sport

i have just fitted mintex pads front and rear and cost for parts were less than 60 quid, its shocking the prices dealers charge for the parts when the labour charge is also very high

From memory the front pads if Brembo, were about £155 cash and carry. The rears something similar. Fitted were @£100 an end. My car had rear pads at first service, then the fronts went a couple of weeks later. Being an auto you do tend to cover-brake and stopping 2.5-2.7 tonnes is going to use up brakes. Mine also required front discs and pads at year two and rear discs year three. I didn't do big miles but usually used my car for towing tintent or car transporter long distances. At year six, I stuck to genuine front discs and pads and motor factor grade rears, having to replace one rear caliper aswell as it was siezed. It's an expense I have always factored in when asked about running costs of a sport. 2x TDV6. SE and HSE. Both returned to sender with issues👀
TDV8 Sport HSE...... Gone. Loved it but it didn't love me!!
Now rolling in MY10 Fullfat TDV8 Vogue. Slammed it to go round corners🙈
Cruising daily #56 mph in a Volvo V8. 😱
Lots of other toys in the cupboard...😜

Thanks guys for all you're replies, much appreciated. I can understand the wear, was surprised that the rear went quicker then the front but thats clear to me now. I was also very disappointed by the treatment within the dealership branch specially the service reception, that did put me off completely with this dealership branch. Brin

louischristie8 wrote:

I paid just shy of £700 for front and rear pads at my service last month!

That was with the rear pads being replaced when i purchased the car 5k miles previously...

+ +

I think if they try putting red stamps on my paperwork they will end up with a big red stamp mark on their face .....

Scare tactics to force you in to paying their rip off prices. Do like the thought of service manager that replaced my engine with a "defect not fixed" stamp in his forehead  2x TDV6. SE and HSE. Both returned to sender with issues👀
TDV8 Sport HSE...... Gone. Loved it but it didn't love me!!
Now rolling in MY10 Fullfat TDV8 Vogue. Slammed it to go round corners🙈
Cruising daily #56 mph in a Volvo V8. 😱
Lots of other toys in the cupboard...😜

Brin wrote:

Thanks guys for all you're replies, much appreciated. I can understand the wear, was surprised that the rear went quicker then the front but thats clear to me now. I was also very disappointed by the treatment within the dealership branch specially the service reception, that did put me off completely with this dealership branch.

Need to find yourself a local Indy

Thanks diso. My local indy always keeps my brake pads in working order, thats why I told the stealer to leave it. And we have you of course roming the highlands.  Brin