- 14+ yearshands-on experience
- 24/7emergency callouts
- Insuredpublic liability cover
- Upfront priceagreed before work starts
Warning signs your brakes need attention
- High-pitched squeal when braking. Many pads have a small metal wear indicator that squeals when they're getting low.
- Grinding or scraping. Usually means the pad material has worn through and metal is touching the disc.
- The car pulls to one side under braking. Often a sticking caliper or uneven pad wear.
- Vibration through the pedal or steering wheel when braking. Commonly uneven or worn discs.
- A soft or spongy pedal, or a pedal that sinks. Can mean air in the system or a fluid leak.
- Longer stopping distances, a burning smell after driving, or the brake warning light on the dashboard.
- The handbrake doesn't hold the car on a slope.
Don't drive it
If the pedal is soft or sinking, you can hear metal grinding, or the red brake warning light is on, don't keep driving. Call 07795 900009 and we'll come to the car.
Brake work we carry out
- Front and rear brake pad replacement
- Brake disc replacement
- Seized or sticking calipers
- Brake fluid replacement
- Flexible brake hose replacement
- Handbrake adjustment, and pad changes on cars with electronic parking brakes, which need a diagnostic tool to put the brake into service mode
- ABS warning light diagnosis, often a wheel speed sensor or wiring fault
Pads, discs and brake fluid explained
Pads and discs
Pads wear faster than discs, but discs wear too. Every disc has a minimum thickness set by the manufacturer, and discs that are too thin, scored or uneven need replacing. As a rough rule, discs often need replacing every second set of pads, but we measure them rather than assume. If your discs are fine, we'll tell you.
Brake fluid
Brake fluid absorbs moisture from the air over time, which lowers its boiling point and can make the brakes feel soft after heavy use. Most manufacturers recommend replacing it every two years, but it's one of the most commonly skipped jobs. We can check it and tell you whether it's due.
★★★★★"Had an issue with my under tray that was solved next day with no extra or hidden costs."
Christian, verified customer review
Suspension problems and repairs
Potholes are hard on suspension. Common signs that something has worn or broken:
- A knock or clunk over bumps or speed humps, often worn drop links or bushes
- A clunk when turning, sometimes a broken coil spring, which is a common failure on UK roads
- A bouncy or floaty ride, or the car leaning heavily in corners, usually worn shock absorbers
- Uneven tyre wear or the car pulling to one side
We replace drop links, anti-roll bar bushes, coil springs, shock absorbers and other worn components on site. Some suspension work changes the wheel alignment, which needs a garage alignment rig. If that applies to your repair, we'll tell you upfront so you can get it checked afterwards and avoid uneven tyre wear.
Brakes, suspension and your MOT
Brakes and suspension are among the most common reasons cars fail their MOT. If your test is coming up and you've noticed any of the signs above, it's usually cheaper to get them sorted beforehand than to fail and need a retest. Advisories on your last MOT, like "pads wearing thin" or "corroded brake pipe", are worth getting looked at before they become failures. You can see your car's past advisories for free on GOV.UK.
What it costs
Prices vary with the car, which axle and which parts are needed, so we quote from your registration and what you've noticed. You get a price before we arrive, and we use parts of matching quality to the originals. If we find something else while we're there, we show you and price it, and nothing extra is done without your agreement.
Wondering what else can be done on your drive? Read what a mobile mechanic can fix at home.
Other services
Where we work
We're based in Small Heath, Birmingham, and come to you across the West Midlands, including these areas:
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my brake pads need replacing?
Common signs are a high-pitched squeal when braking, a grinding noise, the brake pad warning light, or longer stopping distances. If you're unsure, we can check the pad thickness and give you an honest answer.
Do discs always need replacing with pads?
No. Discs are measured against the manufacturer's minimum thickness and checked for scoring and uneven wear. If they're within limits, only the pads are changed.
Can brakes really be done on my driveway?
Yes. Pads, discs, calipers, hoses and brake fluid can all be done on a driveway or in a car park, as long as there's a safe, level space to work.
My car has an electronic handbrake. Can you still change the pads?
Yes. Cars with electronic parking brakes need a diagnostic tool to wind the rear calipers back into service mode, and we account for that when pricing.
Is it safe to drive with squeaky brakes?
A light squeal can be a wear indicator, and you should get it checked soon. Grinding, a soft pedal or a red brake warning light are not safe to drive on. Call us instead.