I have a 2019 Seat Ibiza and the mechanic recently told me the brake pads are pretty worn down. I'm not sure if that's normal or if I've been hard on them driving around the city. Is there a recommended interval or does it depend on how you use it?
Brake pads typically last between 40,000 and 70,000 kilometers depending on your driving style, so on a 2019 Ibiza it's pretty normal for them to be worn down if you drive a lot in the city where you're constantly braking. City driving wears them out faster than highway driving, so I don't think you've abused them, it's just that that kind of use burns through them more.
Brake pads don't have a fixed interval like oil does, it really depends a lot on your driving style and the terrain where you drive. If you drive a lot in the city with constant braking, it's normal that they wear out faster than if you use the highway, so what the shop told you is probably true and doesn't mean you've mistreated them, just that city driving is harder on the brakes.
In the city you definitely burn through them faster, especially if you brake a lot or drive a bit aggressively. With a 2019 Ibiza it's completely normal for them to ask you to change them by now if you drive around a lot, so don't worry that you haven't worn them out. What I will warn you about is that some mechanics take advantage to tell you they're "pretty worn" when they still have some life left, so if you want a second opinion ask someone else to check them out or learn to tell when they're really at the limit (when they start squealing or you notice braking feels different). Anyway, changing them isn't expensive compared to other car costs, so if they're already recommending it, it's probably time.
After 19 years taking care of bees and sticking my hands in ovens, I'm telling you that brake pad wear is pretty much like how a good baking tray wears down: it depends on how much you use it and how you treat it. In your case with the 2019 Ibiza driving around the city, it's totally normal that they're worn out already. City driving is brutal on brake pads because you're braking every couple of meters, it's not like highway driving where you brake once in a while. 40,000 to 70,000 kilometers is the range you see floating around, but it can vary quite a bit. If you've had the car since 2019 and you drive a lot in the city, you've probably blown past those numbers without any issues. It's not that you drove badly, it's just how it works.
What other people don't mention much is that you shouldn't wait until they're completely worn down. When brake pads are really worn, they start damaging the rotor, and that's when things get expensive. The shop is warning you in time, so change the pads without hesitation. While you're there, take the chance to check that the rotors aren't completely shot. Sometimes mechanics give you a heads up about that when you see the final quote and it freaks you out, but it's better to invest now than pay a fortune later because you neglected maintenance. Take it easy the first few kilometers after the change, the new pads need a break-in period.
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