Cheltenham's Friendly Independent Garage

Your brakes are one of the most important safety components in your car. The brake system is made up of many different components. Brake pads and brake discs, calipers and fluid all play their own important role in slowing your vehicle down and bringing it to a stop, safely.

As they are constantly subject to wear and tear while you drive, it is important that each of these components is kept in good condition and is essential for your safety and the safety of other road users.

So, what are the signs…..

The brake warning light is illuminated on my dashboard.

Dashboard warning lights are there to warn you of any problems that the car’s Electronic Control Unit (ECU) detects in its day-to-day operation. If an illuminated red or yellow brake light appears on your dashboard then it either means you have an issue with your brakes or that a brake inspection is due soon. Either way, don’t ignore the warning lights. We can carry out a diagnostic check to see what the problem might be.

My car brakes are making a grinding or high-pitched sound.

A high-pitched screeching sound from your brake pads isn’t just unpleasant and annoying, but also a sign that the pads are worn and will need replacing. It is best to address this as soon as you notice because leaving them, could result in a larger repair bill in the future.

A grinding sound is another sign that your brake pads may be worn out. The brake rotors may be in contact with the pads causing more damage to the overall braking system. It would be best to book a free brake check with us and we can find out what is causing the issue.

My car pulls to one side when I brake.

Another clear indication of a possible brake problem is when your car pulls to one side when you apply the brakes. This isn’t the only cause of this problem as it could be linked to your car’s suspension or wheel alignment but you will need an experienced technician to diagnose the problem and identify exactly what needs fixing.

When I brake I can feel vibrations through the steering wheel or brake pedal.

A vibrating steering wheel or brake pedal when braking is a sign of brake problems and one you should get checked out as soon as you can – for both your safety and your finances. It could be a worn-out or warped brake pad. If you delay, the problem will get worse, which will undoubtedly result in more expensive repair work at a later date.

My car brake pedal feels soft or spongy.

Your brake pedal shouldn’t feel spongy or soft, so if you do experience this then it’s a sign that your brakes need looking at urgently. This could be a brake fluid issue so to make sure your brakes are safe get your car booked in for a Free Brake Check as soon as possible.

I can see fluid leaking.

Leaking fluid anywhere on a car is a clear sign that your car has a problem. If that fluid is coming from your braking system, then you should get it fixed immediately as it means your brakes won’t be working as well as they should and may fail.

My car brakes aren’t as responsive as they were.

If you have to apply more pressure to the brake pedal to get your car to stop then it is likely the car brake pads have worn down and will need replacing. Contact us to book a Free Brake Check which will help to identify the problem.

There is a strange smell coming from my tyres.

This may not seem the most obvious sign, but if you notice that your tyres are giving off a strange smell then this could mean you have got a brake problem. A component in the braking system is probably in need of urgent repair so let us take a look as soon as possible.

Motor Ninjas are very happy to carry out a Free Brake Check if you think you have a problem. We can be contacted through our website or call us on 01242 525735

We look forward to seeing you soon.

The Team at Motor Ninjas MOT & Car Service Centre

We’re open every day from Monday to Friday and on Saturdays and Sundays by appointment. Call us today on 01242 525735 and make Motor Ninjas your next stop for vehicle repairs and services.