Car Brake Fluid... how often should you replace?

[bizzylizzy]

I've just phoned my local garage for a service quote. My car also needs its first MOT. The labour quote was £92 per hour for a start. They quoted me for the MOT and then said I'd want to replace the brake fluid as the car's 3 years old - a further £60. I asked if it was essential at the moment as my car's only done 21,000. The said it wasn't mandatory but suggested I should have it done.

Is this correct or does the fact that my car's done so few miles mean I can get away with it until the next service?

Please don't lecture me on safety aspects. I simply want to know if brake fluid replacement is to do with the age of the brake fluid or the number of miles the car's done.

Thanks everyone.

[KJN]

It is recommended that brake fluid is changed every 3 years on most cars, due to the fluid loosing its velocity. Nothing to do with how many miles the car has covered.

[oscarkim1]

How did we manage all these years ago, I've never changed any of my cars brake fluid ever (since 1967 when I started driving) another money making excercise I suggest!

[jake-the-peg]

Personally I don't believe a word of it.

The reason you change the brake fluid is that it has a tendancy to absorb water vapour this reduces it's effectiveness at transmitting braking force. Which is why manufacturers recommend it

However I've had many cars for way over 10 years and never changed the brake fluid and never failed an MOT for insufficient braking force due to dodgy fluid.

Note that this applies to DOT 4 brake fluid - DOT 5 is silicone based and doesn't need replacing - you can't just replace DOT 4 with DOT 5 though as you need to change a lot of brake components if you do.

However if it was such a problem manufacturers would not still be using DOT 4.

If you need it for your warrenty - well then it's up to you but I wouldn't

[chas2008]

It should be , but very rarely is,i work in the trade and have never done it on any of my own vehicles although we do it on customers at there request..
If i thought there was an issue i would.
many manufacturers recomend air bags to be replaced every 10 years, can see that happening..not

[bizzylizzy]

Thanks for some great answers everyone. I asked how much the hourly rate was at my VW garage and was told £92. Blimey. My car's been making weird noises for a couple of years now, it sort of tic tic tics when the engine first starts up and when the lightly steered to the right. I was told it was the tappets and a common problem. The only solution apparently is an engine replacement. I can see that VW wouldn't want to replace engines in newish cars, but the strange noise will make it more difficult to sell when I can afford to replace it. Now my car is coming up to three years old when the warranty ends, I'm tempted to take it to a local garage for its MOT and service, I could probably halve the cost. I can't believe people can afford to pay the prices quoted by main dealers. Sorry about the grumble... it's been one of those days today. Hope your day's have been better :-)

[AlBags]

Some garages unscrupulously try to change things like brake fluids to bump up the parts cost (and a bit of labour)

[bizzylizzy]

Thanks everyone that's great. I have to go to the main dealers as the warranty is about to run out. Just in case anything needs to be done under the warranty. I know you're allowed to go elsewhere these days, but all the details of my ongoing complaint are on their system... I said tappets, apparently it's pistons! But I will go straight to VW if I suspect they've tried to load anything onto the service cost. Sadly I think garages still tend to treat women differently to men. Your responses have been brilliant though, thank you.