Folks round here are "proper Yorkshire", they would say you lads from Scotlandshire must be made of money to be changing brake pads whilst there's still visible friction material on them.!
Why would anyone risk their life with bad brakes using worn pads on a premium car?
Buy a Prius and you'll still have money left in your pocket for other stuff
2010 Mercedes W212 E Class E350 CDI Sport, 2006 Mercedes W169 A Class A170.
If they are on the back....then there's another years there.....on the front?....then get new!!!!
Joking apart there is no "risking their life" involved....all the time there is friction material left then it will stop just as sell as if they where new. Unless you track it where heat transfer to the fluid might be an issue.