Faulty Parts

This week's warning is for brakes which is rather worrying. Italian brake supplier Brembo has warned drivers to check their brake replacement supplier.

This follows findings that Brembo claim shows that some foundries in developing countries are sending a deluge of poor quality and potentially dangerous brake discs into Europe. In addition car care firm Comma found half of 700 vehicles tested had defective systems caused by contaminated or old brake fluid, with 29% so bad that drivers were risking their lives.

The warning from Brembo emphasised that drivers should check with servicing and maintenance suppliers that they check every new brake disc for defects and not assume that they will be in perfect condition. Brembo checked over 5,000 discs from major suppliers across Europe and found that 40% showed a serious defect.

A spokesman said that the majority of brands don't make their own discs but bought them from manufacturers in developing countries such as China, India and Brazil. Technology and controls in these countries can be minimal, leading to defects in the materials as well as in the machining of the discs.

Such problems can lead to reduced effectiveness under braking and some discs could even collapse warned Brembo. Brembo said that lack of European legislation surrounding the traceabilty of products makes it virtually impossible for consumers to find out where a particular disc was made - so be very careful when choosing your brake disc replacements.