[adam911]

Ok, I've bled the system several times today. I put about a litre of fluid through it until it was nice and clean. I first bled with the pedal. I used a non return bleeder, as knowing how long these things take I couldn't ask someone to stand around hours on end.
I bled the whole system four times on the pedal and got to a point where I would put about 250 mil of fluid through each caliper to ensure no air remained. I then bled it 3 more times by pressurizing the system.
I now get a pedal if I pump maybe 7 or 8 times. The pedal hardness dies off quite quickly.
I just checked out the prices of master cylinders and they are not cheap so I really want to be sure before I buy a new one.

Any recommendations on how to test the MC if I take it out?

I guess I should give the pad removal process a go first maybe.

Thanks

Adam