MPS

Sorry Church, but hahahahaha! You're absolutely right of course, but we're potentially talking about main dealer servicing here.

Well .. actually when dealership during regular maintenance supposedly did "brake diagnostics", they should have caught it, and do some overhaul job, eg. cleaning some rust, relubing, changing rubber bushings on guides and so on..
So i wouldn't exactly call it "inevitable"

Good on you for finding the issue. This is a common failure mode, but it takes years to happen for the first time. If the slide plates and the carrier underneath them are not kept in good order, sticking pads are inevitable. Looks like some rather ugly corrosion on the top end of the squeal shim!

Just thought I would update on this topic even though it was some time ago. I fitted the stainless steel flexible lines, did notice some improvement although brakes still felt a little 'wooden'. So later I decided to fit the new pads to see if that was the issue, I found the front pads on one side were stuck in the carrier at an angle causing the pads to wear unevenly. I had to use a mallet to remove the pads from the carrier - they were that stuck. At the same time I replaced the discs, now the brakes feel fine. The car had a Toyota service history, and had even been in for noisy brakes although they weren't noisy for me. 

Coming to my 2017 GT86 with 9k on the clock I was a little bothered by the lack of initial bite but having said that I disliked the newer cars I've had in the past with v bitey initial braking.
For me it's more of a confidence thing as I like to be able to brush off a little speed without fully digging into the pedal. I've no reservations about the ultimate stopping power but again, the lack of initial bite isn't as I'd care for with my driving style.

Thanks for the replies 🙂, I will continue to drive as I haven't done that many miles, I do have some new pads plus SS braided brake hoses that I will fit at some stage, but am in no hurry to do so, when I get around to it I will report back. 

Thanks, yes the brakes seems fine a higher speed, just lack initial bite at lower speed, will have to put some more miles to retrain my brain 👍