Why the quality of brakes determines safety and costs
The braking system is one of the most safety-critical systems in a vehicle. It determines how reliably a car decelerates, how stable it remains in dangerous situations, and how short the braking distance is. At the same time, it is subject to heavy brake wear, as high mechanical and thermal loads are generated every time the brakes are applied. This is precisely where the quality of the components used plays a key role.
High-quality brake discs and brake pads not only ensure consistent braking performance, but also uniform power transmission within the brake system. In contrast, inferior components can lead to longer braking distances, uneven braking behavior, or premature wear. What initially appears to be cheaper often causes higher costs in the long term, for example, due to more frequent brake disc or brake pad replacement.
The better the quality of the brake components, the more stable they will be throughout their entire service life. This not only reduces brake wear, but also protects adjacent components of the brake system from consequential damage. This makes it all the more important to know how to recognize high-quality brake discs.
How can you recognize high-quality brake components?
Material quality and technical design
The quality of brake components always starts with the material used and its technical design. High-quality components within the brake system—whether brake discs, brake pads, brake calipers, or brake shoes—are specially designed to withstand high mechanical forces and extreme temperatures over the long term. When braking, kinetic energy is converted into heat, which must be absorbed and dissipated in a controlled manner. Only when materials react uniformly does braking performance remain stable and predictable.
High-quality brake pads use specially tailored friction materials that offer a consistent coefficient of friction at both low and high temperatures. At the same time, they protect the friction partners from excessive wear. This has a direct effect on brake wear and ensures that brake pads or even brake discs do not have to be replaced unnecessarily early.
Inferior brake components are often made of simple or poorly matched materials. These are more sensitive to heat, tend to harden or glaze, and build up braking force unevenly. In practice, this leads to jerky braking behavior, noise, and accelerated wear throughout the entire brake system. What may seem inexpensive at first glance causes more maintenance and higher costs in the long run.
Test standards and certifications
Another key quality feature of high-quality brake components is binding testing standards and certifications. In Europe, the ECE-R90 standard is considered authoritative for safety-related parts of the brake system. It ensures that replacement parts such as brake pads or brake discs are comparable to the original components in terms of performance, durability, and friction behavior.
This is crucial for the entire braking system, as all components work together as a system. Certified components are designed to function consistently under realistic conditions and not cause unexpected brake wear. Those who rely on tested quality benefit from consistent braking performance and predictable maintenance intervals, instead of having to replace brake pads or brake discs unexpectedly early.
Products without the appropriate certification are often not subject to standardized stress testing. Their properties can vary greatly, which has a negative effect on the interaction within the brake system. This is particularly critical when some components are of high quality and others are not. Such imbalances often lead to increased wear on individual parts and a loss of efficiency in the entire brake system.
Workmanship and fit
In addition to materials and certification, workmanship plays a key role in the quality of brake components. High-quality components are characterized by precise manufacturing, clean surfaces, and exact fits. Brake pads fit evenly, brake discs have clean friction surfaces, and moving parts such as brake calipers or guides operate smoothly and without play.
This precise workmanship ensures that the braking force is transmitted evenly and that no localized stress occurs. This significantly reduces brake wear, as neither the brake pads nor the brake discs are worn unevenly. The result is smooth, even braking and longer maintenance intervals.
Cheap brake components, on the other hand, often have manufacturing defects such as uneven surfaces, poor edge finishing, or inaccurate dimensions. Such deviations cause brake pads to wear unevenly, brake discs to be subjected to uneven loads, and heat to build up. This results in noise, vibration, and increased maintenance requirements, often necessitating premature replacement of brake pads or brake discs.
What happens when cheap brake components are used?
Those who focus solely on price when purchasing brake components risk not only higher costs in the long term, but also noticeably poorer braking performance. Cheap parts wear out faster, are more sensitive to heat, and impair the interaction within the brake system. Overall brake wear increases because loads are not distributed evenly.
In practice, this means that brake pads wear out faster, brake discs warp sooner, and the entire system loses efficiency. This not only means that brake pads need to be replaced more often, but also that brake discs often need to be replaced at the same time, even though they would still be perfectly usable if they were high-quality components.
High-quality brake components are therefore not a luxury solution, but an investment in safety, reliability, and economy. They ensure balanced load distribution within the brake system, reduce wear on all components, and ensure that braking performance remains consistent even under demanding conditions. Those who focus on quality benefit from longer service life, less maintenance, and a consistently safe driving experience.
Why cheap brakes are more expensive in the long run
Shorter service life
Cheap brake components are usually not designed for sustained high thermal and mechanical loads. Inexpensive brake discs are often made of simpler cast materials with lower heat resistance. During repeated braking maneuvers, such as in city traffic, when driving downhill, or with a heavier vehicle weight, these materials cannot absorb and dissipate the heat generated evenly. The result is faster overheating of the friction surfaces, leading to glazing, uneven abrasion, and premature brake wear.
These material weaknesses cause inexpensive brake discs to lose their friction coefficient more quickly. The braking effect becomes uneven, and the discs wear down more heavily in certain areas. In practice, this means that brake discs need to be replaced much sooner than high-quality components. At the same time, the brake pads also suffer from the poor friction conditions. They adapt to the uneven surface, wear out more quickly, and also need to be replaced sooner. Premature replacement of brake pads is therefore not the exception but rather the rule with cheap brakes.
In addition, the decline in quality has a direct impact on braking performance. Braking distances are noticeably longer, especially during repeated or heavy braking, as the brake system no longer works consistently. The vehicle decelerates unevenly and the pedal feel becomes spongy or unstable. These effects not only compromise safety, but also increase wear on all components within the brake system, further shortening its service life.
Hidden follow-up costs
One aspect of cheap brakes that is often underestimated is the hidden follow-up costs that arise from the interaction of the individual parts. Cheap brake discs often wear down the brake pads more quickly because the friction surfaces are rougher or unevenly finished. This causes the pads to wear down faster, even if they originally had sufficient material. As a result, brake pads need to be replaced more often than would be the case with a high-quality brake system.
Furthermore, wear is not limited to discs and pads. Uneven friction forces and increased vibrations put strain on other components of the brake system. Brake calipers can become sluggish, guides wear out more quickly, and in the worst case, adjacent components such as wheel bearings or axle components are subjected to greater stress. These additional stresses develop gradually and are often only noticed when major damage has already occurred.
What appears to be a cheap solution at first glance often leads to more frequent visits to the repair shop, additional repairs, and rising overall costs. Instead of a predictable maintenance interval for replacing brake discs or brake pads, unpredictable expenses arise. Over the lifetime of the vehicle, these costs often significantly exceed the savings achieved by purchasing cheaper brake components.
Safety risk
In addition to the economic disadvantages, the safety risk is the most crucial factor when evaluating cheap brakes. A brake system must respond reliably and predictably in every situation. Inferior components often cannot meet this requirement. Typical symptoms include uneven braking performance, noticeable jerking, or so-called fading, in which braking performance decreases significantly at high temperatures.
If the braking system no longer operates consistently under load, braking distances increase precisely when maximum deceleration is required. In critical driving situations, such as emergency braking or on wet roads, this difference can be crucial. Brakes jerk, the vehicle remains unstable, or deceleration is delayed. Such effects significantly increase the risk of accidents and deprive the driver of important safety reserves.
For this reason, the brake system should not only be functional, but also of high quality. High-quality brake components ensure even brake wear, consistent braking performance, and predictable maintenance intervals. Investing in quality not only reduces the frequency of brake disc and brake pad replacements, but above all ensures that the brake system functions reliably at the crucial moment and offers maximum safety.
How to extend the service life of your brake system
Correct driving style
Driving style has a significant impact on brake wear and thus on the service life of the entire brake system. Anticipatory driving significantly reduces the strain on brake discs and brake pads. Drivers who take their foot off the accelerator early, maintain sufficient distance, and anticipate traffic situations need to brake less frequently and less hard. This results in lower friction forces and lower temperatures on the friction surfaces.
Using the engine brake is particularly effective when coasting to a stop at traffic lights or driving downhill. This allows the engine to absorb some of the deceleration, while reducing the load on the brake system. In city traffic with frequent stop-and-go situations, consistent braking and gentle deceleration can help avoid heavy stress peaks that would otherwise lead to premature brake wear.
Aggressive driving with abrupt emergency braking, frequent heavy acceleration, and late braking maneuvers, on the other hand, causes high temperatures and uneven wear. As a result, brake discs and brake pads need to be replaced much sooner. On the other hand, driving calmly and evenly significantly extends the service life of the brake system and at the same time ensures a more consistent braking feel.
Regular maintenance
In addition to driving style, regular maintenance is crucial to keeping the brake system in good condition over the long term. A well-maintained brake system works evenly, builds up brake pressure consistently, and wears down in a more controlled manner. This includes regular visual inspections of brake discs and brake pads to detect uneven wear or damage at an early stage.
One aspect that is often underestimated is the maintenance of moving parts. Brake caliper guides and brake pistons must be clean and smooth-running so that the brake pads are evenly applied and release completely after braking. If these components are dirty or stiff, the brakes will rub slightly all the time. This significantly increases brake wear and can lead to brake pads or even brake discs needing to be replaced much sooner than necessary.
It is equally important to change the brake fluid regularly. Old or water-contaminated brake fluid can lead to a spongy pedal feel, reduced braking performance, and increased thermal stress. Fresh brake fluid ensures constant pressure conditions in the brake system and protects the entire brake system from corrosion and loss of function. Adhering to maintenance intervals prevents unnecessary wear and tear and maintains the full performance of the brakes.
Recognizing typical signs of wear at an early stage
Many problems with the brake system become apparent long before a serious defect occurs. Grinding noises, squeaking brakes, or noticeable vibrations when braking are typical warning signs of incipient brake wear. These symptoms are often caused by unevenly worn brake pads, slight deformation of the brake discs, or contaminated contact surfaces.
If you take such signs seriously at an early stage, you can respond in a targeted manner and avoid major damage. It is often sufficient to clean individual components, install them correctly, or replace worn parts in good time. However, if you wait too long, the problems will worsen. What starts out as harmless noises can turn into a permanently uneven braking effect, which ultimately requires a complete brake pad replacement or even premature brake disc replacement.
Regular checks of the brake system—whether as part of inspections or when brake performance is noticeable—are therefore the best preventive measure. Early intervention not only extends the service life of the brake components, but also ensures consistent, safe, and reliable braking performance in everyday use.
Common mistakes when changing brakes
Choosing the wrong or inferior components
A particularly common mistake when working on the brake system is choosing the wrong components. Many vehicle owners try to save money by combining inexpensive brake pads with high-quality brake discs, or vice versa. However, this mixture of different friction coefficients, materials, and temperature resistances often leads to problems. The components are not optimally matched to each other, resulting in uneven contact pressure, increased noise, and accelerated brake wear.
The use of non-vehicle-specific parts is also problematic. Brake discs with the wrong diameter, unsuitable thickness, or incorrect ventilation significantly impair the function of the brake system. The same applies to brake pads with unsuitable friction material. In such cases, brake pads or even brake discs need to be replaced much earlier because the components wear each other down more quickly.
To avoid these errors, high-quality, coordinated, and vehicle-specific brake components should always be used. This is the only way to ensure that the brake system works smoothly, quietly, and reliably over a long period of time.
Errors during installation of brake components
Even high-quality brake components cannot perform to their full potential if they are handled or installed incorrectly during installation. A classic mistake is failing to degrease new brake discs. These are often coated with corrosion protection at the factory, which must be completely removed before installation. If residues remain on the friction surface, this will result in poor braking performance, noise, and uneven brake wear.
Other common installation errors involve incorrect tightening torques on wheel bolts or brake calipers. If these are tightened too tightly or too loosely, brake discs can warp slightly or components can come loose. Incorrectly installed or missing clips, springs, and guides also prevent brake pads from being guided properly. As a result, they grind, cause noise, and wear unevenly.
Careful installation in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications is therefore crucial. Working cleanly when changing brake discs or brake pads extends the service life of the brake system and prevents unnecessary consequential damage.
No or incorrect bedding in of new brakes
Another frequently underestimated point is the correct bedding in of new brake pads and brake discs. After changing the brake pads or brake discs, the friction surfaces must first adjust to each other optimally. This process ensures that an even friction layer forms and the brake system can develop its full performance.
If brake-in is neglected or performed incorrectly, so-called hotspots will form on the brake discs. These locally overheated areas lead to noise, vibrations, and uneven brake wear. In addition, braking performance can deteriorate permanently, even if the components are new.
Proper bedding in means braking evenly and moderately for the first few kilometers, avoiding heavy braking, and giving the brake system time to adjust. This step is essential to ensure a long service life and consistent braking performance.
Only unilateral or incomplete replacement
Another critical error is replacing brake components on only one side. Brake pads or brake discs should always be replaced on both sides of the axle, i.e., on the left and right at the same time. If only individual parts are replaced, this results in uneven braking performance, as new and old components have different friction coefficients.
These imbalances place unnecessary strain on the braking system and can cause the vehicle to pull or react unpredictably when braking. At the same time, brake wear increases because the new parts have to work harder to compensate for the performance of the worn components.
Replacing all brake components on both axles ensures uniform deceleration, stable handling, and a significantly longer service life for the brake components. By taking a consistent approach here, you can avoid unnecessary repairs and maintain the safety of your vehicle in the long term.
Conclusion
The quality of the brake components used has a direct impact on safety, driving comfort, and the long-term operating costs of a vehicle. High-quality brake discs and brake pads ensure consistent, predictable braking performance and significantly reduce brake wear. They respond stably to high thermal loads, warp less, and maintain a constant coefficient of friction even during repeated braking maneuvers. This ensures that the braking system remains reliably controllable, both in everyday use and in critical driving situations.
Those who consciously choose high-quality components also benefit from longer maintenance intervals. Brake discs and brake pads need to be replaced less frequently, as the material and workmanship have a positive effect on service life. At the same time, there is a lower risk of associated problems such as noise, vibration, or uneven wear, which often occur with inferior brakes and result in additional repairs.