Khristopher J. Brooks is a reporter for CBS MoneyWatch. He previously worked as a reporter for the Omaha World-Herald, Newsday and the Florida Times-Union. His reporting primarily focuses on the U.S.

It's most unusual to wear out the rear brakes before the fronts as it's the fronts that do most of the work, but having to replace pads and discs at low kays is not so unusual with European cars.