Aluminium-based metal matrix composites (MMCs) are valid candidates to substitute cast iron in the production of automobile brake discs. These materials provide good tribological performance and suitable thermophysical properties combined in a lightweight solution. The two main challenges lie in the high-temperature mechanical properties and the recyclability of the composite at the product’s end-of-life. Aluminium gives the opportunity of using secondary alloys in the production of these MMCs. The drawback is that secondary aluminium alloys usually include several impurities and oxides that can harm mechanical and thermophysical properties. The present study focuses on characterising Al-Si-based MMCs reinforced with 20 wt.% of SiC particles. The composites are produced by squeeze casting using 100 % of secondary alloy for the matrix and are compared to the current solution developed for light brake discs. The critical material properties for brake discs are good thermal conductivity and suitable coefficient of friction. The microstructure of the MMC produced with secondary alloy presented a higher number of clustered SiC particles, probably related to the presence of oxide films that wrap the carbides and hinder their dispersion in the melt. The presence of oxide-related porosities affected the thermal conductivity of the composites produced with secondary alloys, with a reduction in thermal conductivity of 15 % from 147 to 125 W/m*K at room temperature. The reduction was maintained with increasing temperature up to 500 °C. The wear performance was tested at room temperature with a pin-on-plate tribometer against the brake pad material. The coefficient of friction did not change with the presence of the recycled matrix alloy, reaching a maximum value of 0.2 over 4 hours of testing. The wear surface on the MMC presents a tribo-layer that develops at the beginning of the wear test and maintains a stable coefficient of friction over time.