Brakes

Brakes are the job people put off, and the one they should not. A squeal is usually the wear indicator doing its job; a grind is metal on metal and the disc is now being eaten. A pull to one side is a sticking caliper, and a soft pedal is air or old fluid. All of it can be done on a drive in about ninety minutes.

We change pads and discs together, an axle at a time, because new pads on a worn disc wear quickly and never bed in properly. The calipers come off, the slides are cleaned and greased, and the new discs go on with a clean hub so they run true. On cars with an electronic parking brake we wind the rear pistons back with the diagnostic tool, not with a screwdriver.

Brake fluid takes on water over the years and boils earlier when it is hot; we test it on every brake job and change it if it is over three per cent. Then a road test, a few firm stops to bed the pads in, and the old discs go in a bag on your seat so you can see what came off.

What is included

• Pads and discs changed together, an axle at a time
• Calipers cleaned, slides greased
• Electronic parking brakes wound back properly
• Brake fluid tested on every job
• A road test before we leave
• The old parts in a bag on your seat

What it costs

Front pads and discs £85 labour plus £75 to £150 of parts; rear £95 labour plus £70 to £140, by size of car. Including VAT. The job pricer works it out for your size of car, and the area checker gives the call-out for your postcode.