Ive just started replacing the disks and pads on my GTI as its always on my to-do list due to the front pads being quite worn.
Anyways ive now noticed that the whole lot is original from new so 14 years old. Granted its only done 42k but its still shocking.

Its fighting me now all the way, its took me a day to do the fronts. Ended up having to get a sledge hammer to remove the disks....

Now the backs are worse, after crow barring the pads out ive now found that the carrier bolts are made of chocolate cornflakes. Might end up having to remove the whole axle to drill them out. Only plus side is i can change the bushes while im there.

Poor maintenance all round i say.

bloody hell my mate has a 200sx and its a m reg we changed the belts last week and all of them were the same ones from new shocking

at least on high milers they get replaced often

had this when me and alex lowered my polo, had to cut the bolts off the trackrod ends...annoying

Is isnt just oldish cars either. My broher in law is an MOT tester and he say the amount of new cars having there first MOT after 3 years that fail is shocking. Poor quality parts being used to cut costs etc means suff needs replacing earlier. Rusted bolts, worn rubbers and bushes etc making fixing them more costly as it need doing sooner.
Even our 5 year old Leon needs the rear axle bushes doing something that would never need replacing after 5 years on a car say 20 years ago.