Would I be foolish
 

to attempt to change brake pads and possibly disks just using the car's standard jack, or would it be a bit precarious? Not necessarily the scoob. My Fiesta's fronts need doing so thought I might have a go at these first.

ive done it with no problem(on the flat of course)when u drop a wheel of put it under the car just incase it does feel like falling over.

Ta. Thats a good tip.

Very good advice.
I think you should be ok, but a big jack and axle stands are as cheap to buy from a simple car accessories shop as the brake pad are!
And you have them for life.

Graham

£15 will get you a 2 tonne trolley jack, not sure how much for axle stands, not muchmore that that i would have thought and a sound investment if your planning to do work on your own car

£15 is good for a trolley. I hadn't bothered to check prices as I assumed they would be three or four times that amount.

Definitely get a pair of axle stands - you can get 2 tonne ones pretty cheap - and at least you know the car isnt going to fall on you with them under there.

With the axle stands do you need two jacks to slide them under at the same time, or can you jack one side insert stand and then do the other side?

You can jack one side then put the stand under, and then jack the other side if required no problem.