Opinions on these brakes
- Thread starter FlamBango
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Soldato
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The amount of corrosion on the drum brake in the first pic would concern me, because I would expect the rest of the underside of the car to be quite corroded given the state of this.
The disc in the second pic doesn't look in great condition. Some surface rust if the car had been standing for a few days would be ok, because it would come off again when the brakes are used, but this looks a bit worse than that.
Overall, it would concern me, because I would expect the underside of the car to be fairly corroded after looking at these. I would probably be thinking I could find better.
The disc in the second pic doesn't look in great condition. Some surface rust if the car had been standing for a few days would be ok, because it would come off again when the brakes are used, but this looks a bit worse than that.
Overall, it would concern me, because I would expect the underside of the car to be fairly corroded after looking at these. I would probably be thinking I could find better.
With the disk, the lines of rust indicate it’s likely heavily scored and due replacement.. If you can feel those with your finger, they are bad.. and a sign someone neglects changing their pads until catastrophically too late.
The rear is just the outer cover, however, as mentioned above, could be a sign of high levels of underbody corrosion, so I’d check that first, if all the suspension / crossmembers etc look like that, walk away…
I went to see a car that was 5 years old and had come down from Dundee, it was comically corroded underneath, to a point the exhaust heat shield literally crumbled in my hand..
However, If the corrosion isn’t widespread, it’s only brakes, that can be factored in with negotiation.
The rear is just the outer cover, however, as mentioned above, could be a sign of high levels of underbody corrosion, so I’d check that first, if all the suspension / crossmembers etc look like that, walk away…
I went to see a car that was 5 years old and had come down from Dundee, it was comically corroded underneath, to a point the exhaust heat shield literally crumbled in my hand..
However, If the corrosion isn’t widespread, it’s only brakes, that can be factored in with negotiation.
The corrosion on the disc is just a sign of it not being driven for a short while, and the drum is absolutely nothing to worry about.
If you go to view it, take it for a drive then look at the discs afterwards, it's likely the surface rust will wear off after a few brake applications, and if not negotiate a couple of hundred off the price.
If you go to view it, take it for a drive then look at the discs afterwards, it's likely the surface rust will wear off after a few brake applications, and if not negotiate a couple of hundred off the price.
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Given the state of the front discs (outside edge) it has possibly been sitting around quite awhile, if it has the drum brakes probably need stripping down and cleaning (probably £200-250), chance the hub seals are done (garages like charging a load for this). Wouldn't worry about the drum cover itself - unless people treat them they always end up looking like that after a few years.
EDIT: If it has been sitting around for a long period possibility of flat spots on the tyres as well.
EDIT2: This time of year it is crazy how quickly discs look corroded - I drove back the other night through floods, with some debris, so gave the wheels a once over and noticed the discs were nice smooth shiny, by the next morning already they were splotchy yellow/orange.
EDIT: If it has been sitting around for a long period possibility of flat spots on the tyres as well.
EDIT2: This time of year it is crazy how quickly discs look corroded - I drove back the other night through floods, with some debris, so gave the wheels a once over and noticed the discs were nice smooth shiny, by the next morning already they were splotchy yellow/orange.
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That’s got nothing to do (outside edge) with it sitting around, the slight corrosion on the faces yes.
Why? If it’s been routinely serviced there’s no reason to.
I’d say it’s front wheel drive, so no hub seals on the rear.
Yup, absolutely nothing to worry about.
Again, yup.
People worry way way too much about a bit of corrosion whether it be on brakes, subframes or any of the underside of their cars.
This is an absolute godsend to dodgy garages who’ll fleece people and play on any concerns they have rather than being honest.
Apologies Rroff if it seems I’m being picky, but I loathe to see people worry or spend money where it’s unnecessary
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There won’t be on a 19 plate.
If you’re that worried get an AA inspection done on it (I used to be a AA inspector and it’s a worthy service).
Its a Nissan, there is rot somewhere
But seriously, the rusty drums are, as above, likely fine - but I would budget to replace those discs if you buy - my armchair eye suggests they are scored.
PS. Why do manufacturers insist on putting spokey see through wheels an cars with tiny, ugly brakes?!
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Far from a hard and fast rule but that crumbling corrosion blending across the edge of both faces I tend to see more often on vehicles which have spent long periods stationary.
I'm guessing it is probably a Micra but not 100% so trying to cover the bases.
I'm hedging on the basis of it has been sitting around for a longer period it likely hasn't been routinely serviced.
Soldato
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Id go on a test drive and then check out the sweep of the disk face which may highlight a sticking caliper slider, i really wouldn't worry about this on a purchase, all consumables at the end of the day,
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Edit - if it helps @FlamBango, the Auto Trader price tracker plug in suggests they've been trying to sell this car since August, originally up at £10,000
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AT Price Tracker
Advertised 01/08/2024
Change -£1,400 (-14%)
10/02/2025 8600
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27/01/2025 9100
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The wheel design exposes the brakes so the relative rust is higher plus the car may have sat around a lot. Check the pads at the front and if they are also quite low then there's scope to haggle more due to possible servicing after purchase. Maybe the price is already low enough to offset that somewhat.
On a test drive I would expect quite a rough pedal feel at first though some hard braking might clean them up quite a bit. The scoring doesn't look great and just chucking new pads on may just make the braking bad due to poor pad contact. The rusty edge will impinge on the pads unless cleaned off. I'd be prepared to get a good brake service with discs/pads and a rear drum brake service for peace of mind.
On a test drive I would expect quite a rough pedal feel at first though some hard braking might clean them up quite a bit. The scoring doesn't look great and just chucking new pads on may just make the braking bad due to poor pad contact. The rusty edge will impinge on the pads unless cleaned off. I'd be prepared to get a good brake service with discs/pads and a rear drum brake service for peace of mind.
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that tracker thing is pretty good. There should be a little wiggle room in the price since theyve had it hanging around and the brakes need doing.Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale
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Edit - if it helps @FlamBango, the Auto Trader price tracker plug in suggests they've been trying to sell this car since August, originally up at £10,000
Code:AT Price Tracker Advertised 01/08/2024 Change -£1,400 (-14%) 10/02/2025 8600 01/02/2025 8900 27/01/2025 9100 01/01/2025 8990 17/11/2024 9200 12/11/2024 9300 17/10/2024 9400 13/09/2024 9800 05/08/2024 10000
Soldato
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The alloys are quite badly kerbed too.
Why didn't I know this existed. That's tonight's car browsing sorted!Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale
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Edit - if it helps @FlamBango, the Auto Trader price tracker plug in suggests they've been trying to sell this car since August, originally up at £10,000
Code:AT Price Tracker Advertised 01/08/2024 Change -£1,400 (-14%) 10/02/2025 8600 01/02/2025 8900 27/01/2025 9100 01/01/2025 8990 17/11/2024 9200 12/11/2024 9300 17/10/2024 9400 13/09/2024 9800 05/08/2024 10000
£8,600 for a 2019 Micra? You can get a 21/22 Leaf for under £8k.
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TBH I was half asleep when I originally posted - I'm used to drum brakes on the rear of 4WD/AWD vehicles, it always throws me a bit to see them on a newish passenger car.