I had a shop put new pads and rotors on the rear of my XC90 about five years ago. Yesterday the same shop says that my pads are at 3 MM and I'll need new pads and rotors at my next oil change. I looked at the rotors and I can see no defects nor are the rotors worn so much that there is a ridge at the outside edge of the disk. Is there any reason why I couldn't just replace the pads?
Thanks
Bill

 

In order to answer the question we would need photos of the discs, and micrometer readings of their current thickness. 5 years isn't a bad go with front discs if the car is in regular use, submit would surprise me not if it did need new ones.

 

well are the rotor surfaces flat and smooth? Sure you can put new pads on old rotors but you'd risk a few things 1) the new pads don't bed properly and you lose stopping power 2) the rotors warp as they were actually worn and their thickness was below minimum (you can actually find the minimum thickness stamped on the edge of most rotors should you decide to measure as Sven suggested). My two cents is, pay the $100 for two new rotors, get OEM pads (organic -not semi-metalic or ceramic for long rotor life) and have your rear brakes last another 5 years.

 

I know nothing of your actual situation, but I find it believable that the shop would assume you want new rotors whether you need them or not. At today's prices that is a reasonable assumption on their part.

 

I agree. Old school was to resurface the rotors and put new pads in, but given the value of labor, its cheaper for a shop simply to go new and do the job right (not risking the rotors being cut too thin).