4.8 / 5 · 1,002 reviews
4.8 / 5 · 1,002 reviews
A metallic grinding sound when you press the pedal usually means the friction material on your brake pads has worn through and the metal backing is being pressed straight onto the disc. Braking distances get longer, the discs get chewed up, and a cheap pad change becomes a pads-and-discs job.
It’s your car’s most important safety system, which is why we check brakes free and tell you in plain English what’s urgent, what can wait, and what it’ll cost in writing.
Different sounds point to different problems:
Pads worn to the metal, or debris caught between pad and disc. Urgent.
Often the built-in wear indicator saying pads are nearly done.
Corrosion on the disc edge, common after the car sits.
Warped or unevenly worn discs.
May not be brakes at all — worn suspension can mimic it.
The honest answer: you shouldn’t. Worn-out pads brake noticeably worse, especially in the wet, and every mile grinds the discs down further. If it’s grinding, get it checked before your next long run — same-day checks are usually no problem.
Pads wear fastest and are the usual fix. Discs are replaced when they’re below minimum thickness, scored, or warped — and always in pairs across the axle. We measure everything and show you the readings, so you only replace what’s actually worn.
Brakes fine but something still sounds off? Book our repairs & diagnostics in London and we’ll track it down.
Send your details and we’ll call you back to confirm a time that suits you, usually within the hour during opening times. Prefer to talk now? Call 020 8361 6123.
Anywhere from 25,000 to 60,000 miles depending on the car and how it’s driven — town driving wears them much faster than motorway miles. That’s why we check them at every service.
Light squeal can be glazing, dust, or the wear indicator just starting to touch. If it’s new or getting louder, have it looked at — it’s free to check.
Brakes below the performance threshold or worn to the metal are an MOT fail. Fixing them before the test avoids a fail and a retest.
We fit quality parts that meet or exceed original specification, and we’re happy to fit manufacturer-branded parts on request — your written quote states exactly what’s going on the car.