What to Expect From a Brake Inspection
Screeeech! You never know when you’ll need to slam on the brakes. Make sure your brakes are in working order with regular brake inspections.
Brakes are one of the most vital parts of a car, so it’s important to get them checked out periodically to see if there are any hidden problems. Here are a few of the things our technicians and inspectors look for that could make your car unsafe to drive.
Annual State Inspection vs. Brake Inspection
Virginia, like many other states, requires drivers to get their vehicles checked during an annual state inspection. Virginia’s safety inspection has 24 points that a car needs to pass to get the state inspection sticker, and brakes are one of them!
Read: Virginia Vehicle Inspection Checklist
When your brakes are inspected as part of the annual overall car inspection, the objective is to identify any safety-related red flags.
For most cars, the annual state inspection is a thorough enough brake check. However, if you ever notice strange noises coming from your brakes or if they aren’t working quite right, it’s a good idea to have them checked out by a professional. It’s not worth the risk of driving without functional brakes.
At Virginia Tire & Auto, we offer two types of brake inspections: a free visual brake inspection and a $39.99 hands-on brake inspection.
The free visual brake inspection includes measuring the vehicle’s brake pads or shoes and testing the brake fluid. This will help you get an idea of how soon you will need to get new brakes.
Read: How Do I Know If I Need New Brakes?
We recommend an in-depth, hands-on brake inspection for any problems that may not obvious from a simple visual inspection. A hands-on brake inspection includes a more thorough inspection, test drive and diagnosis by one of our expert technicians.
What causes brakes to fail the VA State Inspection?
So, what is the minimum brake pad thickness to pass inspection? To pass the VA safety inspection, brake pads must be more than 2/32 of an inch thick. (We recommend that you consider replacing your brake pads at 3/32 or 4/32 of an inch.)
In addition to the brake pad thickness, inspectors also check the brake disc (rotor) thickness and look for dragging brakes, damaged brake parts or anything else that could potentially be a safety issue.
Here’s the official list from the Virginia State Police of what inspectors are required to check during an inspection:
- Worn, damaged or missing parts
- Worn, contaminated or defective linings or drum brakes
- Leakage in brake lines and proper fluid level
- Worn, contaminated or defective disc pads or disc rotors
Safe brakes are a key part of passing your Virginia state inspection—but, more importantly, safe brakes keep you and your family out of harm’s way.
Why should I get a Hands-On Brake Inspection?
Some brake problems aren’t easily found in state inspections or free brake checks. This is because the state inspection is more focused on safety than performance. In a hands-on brake inspection, a mechanic conducts performance-related checks in addition to the necessary safety checks.
For example, uneven brake pads/brake shoes or a slipping brake slide won’t fail a state inspection. However, they will cause these parts of the brake system to deteriorate faster than normal, meaning that you’ll have to shell out money for repairs and replacements sooner than expected.
Another common brake issue our mechanics encounter during a hands-on inspection is a sticking or seized brake caliper piston. During the winter, salt or sand from the roads can spray up into this part of the brake system and cause it to not work properly.
Come in for a Checkup at Virginia Tire & Auto
Dale Gilbert, a technician at our One Loudoun location, has seen some interesting cases of brake wear and tear in the 20 years he’s been a mechanic. He’s seen cars come in with brake rotors that have been worn so much that they are literally paper-thin. In one strange case, the brake rotor had become completely detached! These types of extreme situations are unlikely to come up if you have your brakes inspected regularly.
If you think you might need brake repairs or if you’d like a diagnostic inspection, schedule a visit at one of our convenient locations. Learn more about our brake services and brake pricing here.