Five signs your brakes need attention, and what each one costs to fix

Brakes wear slowly, so the warning signs creep up. These are the five we hear about most at the counter, roughly in order of how soon you should book.

A soft or long pedal

If the pedal travels further than it used to, book today. It can mean air or water in the fluid, or a leak. A brake fluid change is part of our major service.

Grinding

Metal on metal: the pads are worn through to the backing plate and cutting into the discs. Pads alone will no longer do; you need pads and discs.

Pulling to one side

Usually a sticking caliper. It wears one side faster and heats the disc. Caught early, it is a clean-and-grease job.

Judder through the pedal or wheel

Warped or unevenly worn discs. Common on cars that do short trips and sit for days.

Squeal

Often just dust or a missing shim, sometimes the wear indicator. It is the cheapest of the five to look at.

Not sure which yours is? Our free 15-minute brake check will tell you, with no obligation to have the work done here.