Over time the pads and disks of your cars braking system will wear away and need replacing. The pads will wear out sooner than the disks, but eventually the disks will become too thin and need replacing. Regular use should prevent a build-up of corrosion on the disk surface but seldom used vehicles may suffer from this kind of damage.

The brakes work by generating friction by pressing the pads onto the surface of the disks, which in turn slows down the car. This generates heat in the disks and this heat can lead to warping of the disks which may drastically shorten their lifespan. Braking for long periods downhill should be avoided, instead use a lower gear to generate engine braking to slow the car. After heavy braking (coming off the motorway to stop at traffic lights, for example) you should not sit with the brakes engaged as warping may occur as the disks cool. Instead, take the car out of gear and use the hand brake. This will help preserve your clutch too.