This car fault causes 10 deaths and hundreds of serious injuries every year – and having it checked is free
Defective brakes have caused collisions that killed nearly 50 people in the last five years
FAULTY brakes are killing 10 people every year, despite it being free for them to be checked.
Over 600 people have also been seriously injured as a result of a collision caused by the defect, with thousands more sustaining minor injuries.
Brakes were the single-largest car fault that caused accidents in 2017, making up almost 40 per cent of the 1,539 defect cases – according to the latest .
Nine people died last year alone from faulty-brake accidents, with 10 deaths recorded in 2013, 2015 and 2016. There were eight fatalities in 2014.
However, mechanic and car service providers, such as Kwik Fit and Halfords, provide free brake checks nationwide – with no obligation to buy new components.
Inspections include looking at brake pads, shoes, calipers, discs and handbrake links.
Meanwhile, lifetime guarantee schemes provide car owners with free brake pad or shoe replacements forever on buying the first set – even if you replace your car with a new one.
Having your brakes checked is as important as ever, given that winter is on the way and roads become slippery – lengthening your car’s stopping distance.
There are no set rules for how often you should replace your brake pads, with the RAC recommending around every 50,000 miles.
The best indicator of worn brake pads is the warning light on your dashboard, however not all cars are equipped with sensors to detect wear.
Roger Griggs, Kwik Fit Communications Director, said: “The overall trend on road accidents is an encouraging one, but this analysis shows that this improvement can’t be taken for granted.
“New vehicle technology is making cars ever safer, but they must be maintained properly.
“Brakes lose efficiency over time as the components gradually wear, so their deterioration is hard to spot from day to day.
“We would encourage motorists to not simply leave it to the annual MOT to check on the condition of the brakes, but to make sure they are monitoring their effectiveness on an ongoing basis.”