Brake Pad Wear Indicators are a critical safety feature designed to alert drivers when brake pads are worn to their minimum safe thickness. Rather than failing, these sensors intentionally self-destruct when the pad reaches its wear limit, breaking the circuit or grounding it to trigger a warning light on the dashboard.

By providing a timely warning, these components:

• Prevent metal-to-metal contact between pad and disc, reducing costly damage

• Help ensure braking performance remains safe and consistent

• Encourage timely maintenance, improving vehicle uptime and road safety

• Support compliance with manufacturer service schedules and MOT standards

Though small and inexpensive, brake pad wear indicators play a vital role in the braking system and should always be replaced when fitting new brake pads.

Fitting Tips

• Always replace worn sensors at the same time as brake pads—don’t re-use old sensors.

• Ensure the sensor is routed and clipped properly to avoid abrasion or entanglement.

• Inspect plug connectors for corrosion; apply dielectric grease if needed.

• Avoid stretching the sensor cable during installation; excessive tension can cause internal breaks.

• If fitted, clear fault codes after replacement to reset the dashboard warning light.