Brakes
Stopping power you can rely on
Your brakes are the most important safety system on the vehicle. Squealing, grinding, a spongy pedal or a longer stopping distance should be looked at straight away.
We carry out brake work on all makes and models of cars, vans and light commercials. Our technicians inspect the whole system — pads, discs, callipers, hoses and fluid — and use quality replacement parts.
Whether you need new pads, discs, a fluid change or a complete overhaul, we’ll explain what’s needed and why before we start.
- Pads & discsSupplied and fitted.
- Callipers & hosesInspected and replaced when needed.
- Brake fluidChecked and changed.
- Brake checksBefore an MOT or when something feels wrong.
Signs worth acting on
Brakes wear gradually, so the change creeps up on you. These are the ones not to sit on:
- Squealing or grinding — grinding usually means the friction material is gone and the discs are being damaged
- A pedal that feels soft, spongy or sinks towards the floor
- The car pulling to one side under braking
- Vibration or judder through the pedal or the steering wheel when you slow down
- Longer stopping distances, or having to push harder than you used to
- A brake warning light, or the handbrake light staying on
What wears, and when
Pads are the wearing part and are designed to be replaced. Discs wear too, more slowly, and have a minimum thickness below which they must be replaced rather than reused. Callipers seize, and flexible hoses perish from the inside where you cannot see it.
Brake fluid is the one people forget. It absorbs moisture from the air over time, which lowers its boiling point and makes the pedal go soft under heavy or repeated braking. Manufacturers schedule a fluid change by time rather than mileage for exactly that reason — commonly every two years, though it varies, and we will check yours.
Brakes and the MOT
Brake condition and performance are tested on a roller brake tester, so the MOT measures how well the car actually stops rather than just how the parts look. Worn pads, scored discs, corroded pipes, a seized calliper or an imbalance side to side can all fail it. If something feels wrong, it is cheaper to have it checked before the test than to pay for a retest.
Brakes: common questions
How long do brake pads last?
It depends entirely on how and where you drive — town driving and hills wear them far faster than motorway miles. There is no useful mileage figure; a check is the only way to know where yours are.
Do I need to replace the discs at the same time as the pads?
Not always. If the discs are still above their minimum thickness and not scored or warped, new pads on their own are fine. We measure them and tell you.
My brakes squeal in the morning and then stop. Is that a problem?
Usually not — a light surface rust on the discs overnight squeals off after the first few stops. A squeal that stays, or a grinding noise at any time, does need looking at.
How often should brake fluid be changed?
By time rather than mileage, because it absorbs moisture whether you drive or not. Two years is a common interval but it varies by manufacturer — tell us what you drive and we will check.
Ready when you are