Over time, your car’s brake pads and discs wear out, so it’s essential to have them regularly checked to make sure that they remain in good working order.

If you’re worried about your brakes or want a car brake check before a long journey for peace of mind, our friendly and qualified technicians offer brake repairs, servicing and replacements to keep you safe on the roads.

Use our garage finder to book a brake pad / disc replacement or repair online at a local Eurorepar Car Service centre near you.

Things to know about your car’s brakes

• When you have your brake pads checked at a Eurorepar Car Service centre, we’ll also check the condition of the brake discs. These tend to last longer than pads and generally should be replaced with every other set of pads.

• Worn brake pads and disc can cause you to fail your MOT.

• It’s important to have your brakes regularly checked by a trained technician. It’s the easiest way to check the wear on your brake pads and determine if they need replacing. 

• Hydraulic brake fluid is also essential to the braking system. Make sure to check the fluid level under the bonnet on a regular basis. 

• If your brake pedal feels spongy or it seems to take longer than normal to slow down, then you should get your brakes checked urgently. 

How often do car brakes need to be replaced? 

There’s no single answer to this question. How often to replace your car brakes will depend on the make and model of your vehicle, as well as how often you drive it. We recommend that you check your car manual for the manufacturer’s recommendations, but it’s a general rule of thumb to have your brakes inspected once a year or every 20,000 to 30,000 miles. 

However, if you tend to transport heavy loads, spend a lot of time in stop-and-start traffic or you tend to brake hard and often, your brakes are likely to wear out faster than ones just used for highway driving. 

How do I know if my car brakes need replacing? 

Typically, brake pads should be replaced every 50,000 miles – but every car is different and there are warning signs to look out for that may mean you need new brake pads sooner. A qualified technician will assess the condition of your brakes during your annual MOT or service, but as the most important safety system in your car, they need to be regularly maintained and inspected to make sure they are working correctly. 

Here are some of the key warning signs to notice:

• Your brakes aren’t working as well as before – when your brake pads and discs are old and worn, they’ll grip less well – reducing their effectiveness. Equally, if your brake fluid is old and has absorbed moisture, the hydraulic system could be losing fluid and pressure. 

• Squeaking or grinding noises – if your brakes are squeaking consistently, it’s time to have your car and brakes looked at by a professional. However, squeaky brakes can be typical in some weather conditions (e.g. rain). A grinding noise when you brake could also mean your brake pads or discs need replacing. Some brake pads have small metal ridges on the bottom of the pad that will make a loud noise to alert you that it’s time to get new brake pads. 

• Indicator light turns on – in some car models, there is an indicator light that will flash up on the dashboard that means you need to get your car brakes checked immediately. 

• Vibrations – when you try and stop the car, if you feel the brake pedal or steering wheel vibrating, then you need to get your brakes checked. It means your brake pads have worn out which could cause further damage to your car or a potential accident. 

• Brake pads less than ¼ inch thick – by looking between the spokes on your wheels, you should be able to locate the brake pad on the rotor of the tire. If the pad appears to be less than ¼ inch thick, it’s a likely indication that they need to be replaced soon. 

• Leaks and pulling – if there are worn seals, loose connections or split hoses in your braking system, then air and fluid can leak out which will result in your brakes being less effective. Although brake fluid is clear, you can look out for it on the ground when you park, and it also has a slight odour. If your brakes are worn more on one side than the other, pulling to one side may occur when you brake. This could cause serious issues when you brake suddenly, so ensure to have your brakes checked if you feel this. 

• Extremely sensitive or insensitive brakes – if your brakes jerk your car at the lightest touch or if you need to push the pedal nearly to the floor to get your brakes to engage, you need to get them looked at. 

What are the signs of low brake fluid? 

Your vehicle’s brake fluid is essential to the operation of the brake system. You can look out for these signs to see if there is a problem with your brake fluid: 

• Car takes longer to brake than normal

• Brake warning light is illuminated on your dashboard

• Brake fluid appears low, discoloured or dirty

• Brake pedal feels spongy 

How to check your brake fluid level

1. Open the bonnet of your car and identify the correct reservoir – it will usually have a similar symbol to your car’s parking brake light, without the exclamation mark. 

2. Once you’ve found it, locate the ‘Min’ and ‘Max’ scale to assess how much fluid is in the tank.

3. If it’s under the ‘Min’ line, don’t drive your car until you’ve topped it up. 

4. You should carry out regular checks to ensure the level does not drop below the minimum mark. 

5. Ensure you fill up your vehicle with the right grade of brake fluid by consulting your vehicle handbook. 

What’s the difference between drum brakes and disc brakes? 

Drum brakes use pads and shoes inside a casing (the drum) to slow your vehicle down. The pads are pushed outwards, causing friction. Disc brakes on the other hand are arranged differently; a disc mounted to the wheel is gripped on both sides by brake pads. Again, this causes friction and slows the vehicle down. 

Disc brakes generally provide more braking power, and most cars will have these mounted at the front of the vehicle. Some will still have drum brakes mounted at the back, which are required to do less braking. 
Both types of braking system use the same principal of applying friction to slow down your vehicle, so both will wear out over time.