How often must you replace your brake fluid?

MOTORING

When did you last change your brake fluid? For starters, brake fluid as the name suggests is a hydraulic fluid. Since it is compressible, it converts force into pressure, which enables the car to stop. Depending on the type of car, it is usually found in a small container just below the car wipers under the bonnet.
 
As a fresh car owner, I used to be asked that question whenever I took my car for servicing. Now that it is old and battered, no repairman seems keen on asking that question. Of course, the repairman often added that service to my bill, whenever I told him that I could not remember.
 
The other day, the guy who often replaces my brake pads told me, you don't have to replace your brake fluid unless its dirty or the system has a leakage. That got me thinking because his assertion left out the bit that every car manufacturer specifies, how often one should replace the brake fluid. The average time though is about two years, that goes for Mercedes Benz and if you drive a Honda, then three years is what the manufacturer recommends.
 
Arguably with eight out of 10 cars on a Ugandan road being Toyota, the manufacturer does not actually specify how often one shoud replace the brake fluid. In fact, that is what my repairman must have had in mind, when he spoke to me, because he said as long as it is not contaminated by moisture it can function for several years.

Don't however take his word as gospel truth, get your system checked if the ABS light flashes on your dashboard, or you hear strange noises whenever you apply the brakes. Again any difficulty in applying the brake pedal or a strange burning smell are all warning signs that get your system checked.