I have a 2002 Mazda Protege5. I am about to change my brakes for the first time since I purchased the car brand new (6 years ago). I’ve read about several issues that rotors could have: cracks, hotspots, warpage, grooves, and rust.
How do my rotors look? Should I replace them? I would rather not replace them if I don’t have to.
I would suggest that you should probably have them turned on a brake lathe so that they will be smooth, of even thickness, and not causing any pulsation in the pedal or steering wheel. If they are too thin to turn, then they should be replaced. New rotors are not very expensive. Remember, it’s your brakes wwe’re talking about. Your life is at stake if you don’t do the job correctly.
Everyone has their own standards on this, because it’s a safety issue, but if it was me I’d just replace the pads. They look fine and if you don’t feel any warping (pulsating pedal when stopping), then do the pads. Watch that the fluid doesn’t overflow in the master cylinder as you push back the pistons to fit the new pads.
Now rotors don’t cost much. If you do the job yourself, buy new rotors. You won’t have to leave the car on jack stands while you get the rotors turned.
I took all of the wheel off to look at the break and rotor wear. The Front rotors looks about the same while the rear rotors look like they are in better condition. I took some measurements (rough estimate) and it looks like I definitely have to change the front brakes. I was trying to find where the wear indicator was, and I think I found it on the picture below. Per the Protege 5 manual, the brake pads should be .079 in min thickness. Im going to do the front brakes next weekend and the rears probably over the summer (or earlier depending how on easy the fronts are).
Front Pads
Rear Pads
Wear Indicator ??
THANK YOU MAZDAMONKEY FOR TAKING THE TIME TO SHOW THOSE GREAT PHOTOS … AND … FOR ALL THOSE WHO RESPONDED … I NOW FEEL CONFIDENT THAT WHAT THE MECHANIC RECOMMEND WAS CORRECT 
you may not realize it, but… the pulsating, and failure of braking is typical of your age and type of vehicle.
personally i am amazed you got this far on your brakes.
Man up and accept that you must actually maintain your equipment.
although you may NOT agree, replacing the rotors is ( in my opinion) the best, cheapest, and easiest thing to do when doing a brake job.