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When I was a pro mechanic, that tool was very handy, as we would only see some cars once every couple of years. If it was there for an oil change, it takes 30 seconds to check the brakes to see how much pad is remaining, and if any of the brakes were at 3-4mm remaining it was good practice to let them know they would need brakes soon. Especially if they were at 3mm or less, as it looks really bad when their brake lining light comes on a week after they were just at the shop and they live 3 hours away...
I've never bothered using tools like that on my bimmers since I can just rely on the warning light telling me I have 20% pad remaining (which could be another 5-10k miles). That gives me plenty of time to check which brakes are worn, then order a new set of pads, discs, and sensor, and plan a weekend in the next month or two for replacing them.
Growing up with cars that are heavily electronic laden, I don't recommend test lights. I have a multimeter so I'm not creating a low impedance circuit and thus a high current draw on a circuit not meant for high currents. It's better to know if your 5V circuit is actually outputting 5V and not 12V, and vice versa.
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Olympic Peninsula, WA, USA
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2005 Mini Cooper 100k, British Racing Green/Silver-Black
04/2002 4.6is 140k, Silver/Black-Alcantara *FOR SALE*
1989 325iX 270k, Diamond Black/Black
1984 318i 370k *SOLD* (First Bimmer)
Honorable Mentions: '71 2002, '87 325, '90 325ic, '92 525it, '93 325i, '94 530i
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