How can you tell what type of brakes a car has?

Answer 1

Your owner's manual should describe the brakes briefly. Basically there are two different types: drum and disc.

• drum, the rotor is a cylinder that turns with the wheel and the pads are two semicircular plates pressed outward against the rotor by pistons in a hydraulic cylinder
• disc, the rotor is a disk that turns with the wheel and the pads are two small disks held on opposite sides of the rotor by a caliper, pistons in a hydraulic cylinder cause the caliper to close pressing the pads against the rotor

You can look through ventilation holes in the wheel and often see enough of the brake mechanism to tell if it is drum type or disc type (this is usually easier to see on disc brakes).

Answer 2

By watching how often the owner leaves it in the driveway or garage.

In most countries a vehicle must have two distinct and separate methods of stopping. Usually they are hydraulic, pneumatic or mechanical.
They are called brakes not breaks.
If they are hydraulic there will be a fluid reservoir, if pneumatic a compressor and receiver, if mechanical a physical cable or rod.

Answer 3

If you need OEM part numbers (for example, to cross reference with part numbers from aftermarket suppliers), you can call the parts department of a dealership for that manufacturer, give them the VIN, and they can tell you what they are.