Brake service
Not everything that wears on a brake is visible. Pads and discs get thinner, and you notice that — brake fluid, by contrast, draws water out of the air over the years, and every percent lowers its boiling point. On a long descent it can then form vapour in the circuit and the pedal goes to the floor. That is why virtually every manufacturer specifies a change every two years, regardless of mileage.
What it covers
- Measuring pads and discs rather than estimating — the minimum thickness is stamped on the disc
- Changing the brake fluid and measuring its water content
- Freeing the calipers: a seized guide pin eats one pad from one side
- Checking the handbrake and, where fitted, the electric parking actuator
- Inspecting the brake hoses for cracks and swelling
What tells you it is due
- Pedal travel gets longer, or the pedal feels spongy
- Squealing, rubbing or a metallic scraping when braking
- The car pulls to one side under braking
- Steering wheel or pedal judder when braking from speed
Worth knowing
One warning sign that often gets missed: rust on the outer edge of a disc is normal, and so is rust across the face after the car has stood — but if it does not clear after a few applications, the caliper is seized. Cars that stand a lot are affected more often than high-mileage ones.
Find a workshopOther services
- Servicing and inspection
- Oil change
- Tyres and wheels
- Air conditioning service
- Timing belt
- Timing chain
- Clutch
- Transmission service
- Fault diagnosis
- Electric and hybrid service
- Battery and starter
- Exhaust and emissions system
- Wheel alignment
- Bodywork and accident damage
- Paintwork
- Glass and windscreens
- Periodic roadworthiness test