Scirocco's Spongy Brakes Signal Rotor & Pad Issues

Had the same issue on my 2012 VW Golf TDI. The spongy brake pedal combined with pulsation usually points to two possible issues with the hydraulic brakes: First culprit is often air in the brake lines. The hydraulic brake system needs proper bleeding to remove air bubbles that cause that spongy pedal feel. My case revealed contaminated brake fluid that had absorbed moisture over time. But the pulsating sensation you describe matches what I experienced, turned out my disc brakes had uneven wear patterns. The front rotors were warped and the metal brakes were scored. The brake pads were still within spec but the uneven rotor surface caused vibration. Required a complete front brake service: machining the rotors, replacing brake pads, and a full system fluid flush. This was a serious safety issue that needed immediate attention since compromised braking performance can be dangerous. Based on your mileage and the age of your Scirocco, you are likely due for a thorough brake system inspection. The symptoms point to similar wear patterns I encountered rather than a simple pad replacement.

Thanks for sharing your experience. Your diagnosis with the warped rotors makes a lot of sense since I am getting that exact same pulsating feedback through the brake pedal. Planning to have the brake calipers checked too while they are servicing the system. Do you remember roughly what you paid for the complete brake service? Also curious if the issue came back or if everything has been running smooth since the repair work was done? Our cars might need similar fixes since my Scirocco seems to have the same brake setup as your Golf. Just want to get an idea of costs before heading to the shop.

Had the full brake service done 3 months ago and the braking system has been working perfectly since then. The mechanic found worn brake pads and warped rotors just as suspected. The brake calipers were actually fine after inspection, just needed a good cleaning and lubrication. The total brake service including new brake pads, machining the rotors, brake fluid flush, and labor came to 240€. Money well spent considering how critical proper braking is for safety. No more spongy pedal or pulsating sensation when braking. A thorough inspection revealed the squeaky brakes were actually caused by an undervoltage issue affecting the brake system electronics. Once that was sorted out along with the mechanical brake components, everything returned to normal operation. Would definitely recommend getting it checked soon, these symptoms tend to worsen over time and you want to catch any brake shoes or other wear items before they cause more extensive damage.

Finally went to get my brakes checked last week after gathering all the advice here. Turns out you were spot on about the warped rotors. The mechanic showed me the uneven wear patterns on the disc brakes and explained how this was causing the pulsating feeling. Total repair cost came to 280€ which included new brake pads, resurfacing the rotors, and a complete brake fluid flush. The brake calipers were actually in good shape, just needed cleaning like in your case. The squeaky brakes are gone and the pedal feels firm again, no more sponginess or vibration when stopping. Really glad I asked here first since it helped me understand the issue before going to the shop. The mechanic confirmed everything you mentioned about the brake system needing proper maintenance at this mileage. Definitely feels safer driving now with everything properly serviced. Thanks again for sharing your experience, saved me from getting overcharged or having unnecessary work done.