Brakes and ABS Checks in Northampton.

Signs your brakes need attention

• Squealing, grinding or scraping when you brake
• The pedal feels soft, spongy or travels further than it did
• The car pulls to one side under braking
• Vibration or judder through the pedal or steering wheel
• The brake or ABS warning light is on
• The handbrake needs more travel to hold the car
• Visible deep scoring or a pronounced lip on the disc edge

Pads, discs and what they cost

Pads are the wear item and are replaced in axle sets. Labour for brake pad replacement is £20. Discs wear more slowly but must be replaced when they are below minimum thickness, badly scored or warped. Labour for disc replacement is £40. Discs and pads are normally done together, since new pads on worn discs will not bed in properly.

Those figures are labour. The pads and discs themselves are quoted separately and depend on the vehicle.

ABS and traction control lights

An ABS light usually means the system has disabled itself, most often from a failed wheel speed sensor, a damaged sensor ring or wiring chafed by suspension movement. Normal braking still works, but anti-lock assistance does not, and it is an MOT failure. The diagnostic scan that identifies which corner is at fault is free.

Brake fluid

Brake fluid absorbs moisture from the air over time, which lowers its boiling point and makes the pedal go soft under heavy or repeated braking. Most manufacturers specify a change every two years regardless of mileage. It is checked as part of a service.

Frequently asked