Why Book Your Brake Repair Through BookMyGarage?

We have helped over 6 million drivers compare and save on their MOT, servicing and repair costs at local garages. In fact, when you compare brake specialists near you through our online comparison site, you can save up to 70% when you choose one of the lower-cost options!

As one of the UK’s leading garage comparison sites, we’re dedicated to helping drivers save money on their car maintenance. Here are just some of the ways we keep you in control of your brake repairs:

 

24/7 Online Booking. When you need brake repairs near you, you want to book it as soon as possible. You don’t want to wait around for the garage to open so you can call up and get it sorted - and with BookMyGarage, you don’t have to. We allow you to make your appointment day or night, even when the garage is closed.

Transparent Prices. Garages on our comparison site always set and update their own prices, so there are no nasty surprises at the end of your appointment. This price won’t change unless you agree to extra repairs directly with the garage.

Filter Garages Your Way. Whether you want to book the cheapest brake repair near you or care more about the garage’s reviews, we’ve got you covered. You can filter your search results by price, reviews & ratings, distance, availability and additional services to find the best deal for your needs.

Clear Communication Throughout. After you make your booking, we’ll never leave you in the dark. Not only do we provide a confirmation email ourselves, but we also pass your contact details on to your chosen garage. This means they can keep in touch throughout the process. They may send you a confirmation email themselves and will contact you whenever there is a development with your brake repairs. That way, you get the peace of mind you deserve.

 

Compare deals and save up to 70% on your car maintenance when you choose one of the lower-cost options through BookMyGarage. Enter your vehicle reg and postcode to compare instant prices and book the best deal on a brake repair near you today.

 

How to Book a Brake Repair Near You

1. Enter your vehicle reg and postcode.
2. Compare deals. You can sort garages in your area by whatever best suits your needs: price, distance, reviews and ratings or availability.
3. Pick a date and time for your appointment.

 

After you book your brake repairs, we send you a confirmation email with a summary of your booking. We also inform the garage and they may also be in touch to confirm the appointment or to ask for extra details.

You never pay for your booking until after all the work has been completed and deal with the garage directly after the initial booking process. You also have the ability to change or cancel your booking for free until the day of your appointment.

 

 

Brake Check & Other Brake Repairs Near You

Sometimes, you just need professional reassurance that your car doesn’t have a brake problem. Other times, your problem is nothing to do with your brake pads or discs. That’s where a brake repair comes in.

You can book a brake fluid replacement or a brake inspection to determine what other brake repairs you need.

 

What Brake Service Do I Need?

There are various things that can go wrong with your car's brakes. As each issue requires a different fix, you need to be able to identify the different services yourself. Here are some common things to look out for.

 

When to Book a Brake Pad or Disc Replacement

You should book a brake pad replacement if you notice any of the following warning signs:

• Squealing or grinding noise from your brakes
• Your brakes feel 'spongy' when you press the pedal
• Your car takes longer to stop
• You need to press the brake pedal more firmly to get your car to stop
• Your car pulls to one side under braking
• You feel a juddering or vibration while braking
• You can push the brake pedal all the way to the floor
• The brake pedal doesn't 'spring back' when released

 

However, these symptoms could also indicate that you need a brake disc replacement. If you notice any of them, you should book an inspection at a garage near you as soon as possible to determine the extent of the repair. You should also keep track of your brake pad and disc replacement intervals so you don’t leave it too long between changes.

 

When to Book a Brake Fluid Replacement

You should book a brake fluid replacement every 2 years or when you notice any of the following symptoms:

• The colour is dark brown/black
• There are air bubbles in the fluid or it has spoiled
• Lumps or debris floating in the brake fluid
• The fluid level is significantly lower than the maximum line (this indicates a leak)

 

Brake fluid applies the pressure that forces your pads and discs together and slows your car down. Without it, your braking system won't work at all, so you must ensure you change it regularly.

 

When to Book a Brake Calliper Repair

You should book a brake calliper repair if you notice any of the following:

• A soft brake pedal that provides little resistance when pressed
• Your car pulls to one side under braking
• A brake fluid leak or significant drop in the fluid level
• Brake fluid on the rims of your wheels
• A brake imbalance MOT advisory

 

You can't drive safely if your callipers aren't in top condition. This is because they hold the brake pads and discs together, creating friction that slows your vehicle down.

 

When to Book a Repair For Your Anti-Lock Brakes

Most modern cars use Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS) as an extra layer of security. They prevent your wheels from locking under heavy braking, helping drivers avoid skids. The most common ABS issue is a faulty ABS control module.

Symptoms of this problem include:

• The ABS dashboard warning light is on
• Your brake pedal is unresponsive
• Your brakes lock up often

 

Fortunately, this module rarely fails. However, that does mean that if it does, you should fix it as soon as possible. Not only will you find it more difficult to avoid an accident safely, but a faulty control module also has a knock-on effect on your Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Traction Control. This can make your vehicle very unsafe.

 

When to Book a Brake Hose Replacement

You should replace your brake hoses if you notice any of the following symptoms:

• A spongy brake pedal
• Leaking brake fluid
• Faulty or failing brakes

 

These hoses ensure your braking system is pressurised correctly. This ensures that your brakes engage properly when you press the pedal. Without this pressure, the brake pads and brake discs won't engage correctly and braking will take longer.

 

When to Book a Handbrake Cable Replacement

You should book a handbrake cable replacement if you notice any of the following:

• Your car can still move even when parked with the handbrake applied
• The handbrake becomes stuck and won't release
• The handbrake warning light switches on when you wouldn't expect it to

 

In some cases, you can recalibrate the cable instead of replacing it. A professional inspection can easily determine whether your handbrake cable has slipped or stretched, or whether there is more serious damage that warrants a full replacement.

If you notice a problem with your handbrake, you must get it looked at as soon as possible to stop your car from rolling away or injuring pedestrians.

 

What if I Don't Know What Brake Repairs I Need?

If your problem doesn't match any of these brake repairs, or it matches more than one of the descriptions in the list above, you need a brake specialist to diagnose it. Compare garages near you to book a FREE Visual Inspection today.

A specialist brake technician will inspect your vehicle and provide an explanation about what's wrong as well as a transparent quote to repair the problem. Plus, you never pay a penny until after they've completed all the work.

If you don't know what brake repair you need, book your FREE Visual Inspection through BookMyGarage today.

 

 

FAQs

How Do Car Brakes Work?

When you press down on the brake pedal, it activates a plunger in the master cylinder. This forces brake fluid through the system which, in turn, applies pressure on the other brake components. These are forced against the wheels and slow your car down.

There are two main types of brakes: disc brakes and drum brakes. Most modern cars use disc braking systems on the front wheels and drum brakes on the rear, while older cars use drum brakes on both the front and rear wheels.

Disc brake systems have two pads per wheel. These clamp down on the brake disc when the pedal is depressed. Pressurised brake fluid sends a plunger in the calliper forward, forcing the brake pads to squeeze either side of the brake disc. This slows your vehicle down.

Drum brakes work the same way, but use braking shoes instead of pads. These are stored in the steel brake drum itself and, when pressure is applied, the wheel cylinder expands. This component forces the brake shoes apart and towards the inside edge of the drum.

 

What Parts Make Up Brakes?

A modern braking system is made up of the following parts:

• Brake lines which supply the brake fluid
• Brake pads. These blocks press against your brake discs to slow the car down
• Brake callipers. These house the brake pads and push them against the discs
• Brake discs. These are metal rotors that spin with your wheels
• Brake fluid which provides the pressure to push the brake pads against the discs

 

Most modern vehicles now use anti-lock braking systems (ABS) to make braking safer. They can identify wheels that are about to lock up and help you avoid a skid or loss of control under heavy braking. The only surfaces where ABS isn’t effective are ice, gravel or other slippery surfaces.

 

How Long Does it Take to Get Brake Pads and Discs Fitted?

On average, it takes a brake specialist between 1-3 hours to fit a new set of brake pads and brake discs. A brake pad replacement usually takes between 30-60 minutes and a brake disc change takes roughly the same length of time.

 

How Do I Move a Car With Seized Brakes?

If your brakes are only partially seized, you may be able to release them by rocking the car. Switch the engine on and drive forward and reverse in succession. Make sure you are in a safe position before you try this and stop if you don’t feel an improvement. You may cause other damage otherwise.

If your brakes are completely seized, you will need to get the car towed to a garage for a brake repair. 

We would strongly recommend booking an inspection if you notice your brakes become partially seized as well. Continuing to drive on ineffective brakes can endanger you and other road users.

 

What Causes Squeaky Brakes?

There are many reasons why your brakes could be squeaking and many of them may not even require a brake repair to solve.

• Disuse. If you don’t use your car regularly, a thin layer of rust and dirt can form on the brake pads. As your car clears this, it may produce a small squeak.
• Cold Weather. Metal contracts when exposed to cold temperatures, so your brakes may be reacting to an environmental change.
• A Heavy Car. If you overload your car, your brakes may not be able to cope. Try and remove some excess weight and see if the squeaking noise goes away.

 

However, squeaky brakes are also caused by more serious reasons. If the sound is regular, sounds like sheet metal ripping and doesn’t go away quickly, you may need to book brake repairs near you. Examples of more serious problems include:

• Glazed Brake Pads. When your brakes become glazed, the calliper becomes sticky and leaves the brakes partially applied. This can increase your braking distance and cause a constant high-pitched squeaking sound.
• Thin or Worn Brake Pads. This is one of the most severe causes of squeaking brakes. If you haven’t replaced your brake pads at the regular interval, they may no longer be effective enough to stop your car. The squeaking you hear is the wear indicator rubbing against the brake rotors.

 

If you are concerned about the squeaking noise, we recommend booking an inspection or repair at a garage near you. The technician will be able to determine the cause of your issue and provide a high-quality solution.

 

Why Are My New Brakes Squeaking?

It is normal to hear a squeaking noise if you have recently changed any part of your brakes. They take a few miles to adjust and bed in and the noise should go away on its own.

If you notice your new brakes squeaking several days after your appointment, and you have driven regularly, they may be fitted incorrectly. You should contact the garage that originally completed your brake repairs and ask them to resolve the issue.

 

Why Are My Brakes Grinding?

There are several reasons why your brakes are grinding. Here are several common situations where you might hear your brakes grinding, the cause and the solution.

 

Situation	Cause	Solution
Slowing Down or Stopping (squealing or grinding)	Worn Brake Pads	Book a Brake Pad Replacement Immediately
Slowing Down or Stopping (sharp grinding sound)	Brake Disc & Caliper Rubbing Together	Book a Brake Pad Replacement Immediately. You may also need to replace your discs and/or rotors by this point.
When Driving	Rocks & Debris Lodged in the System	Remove the Debris as Soon as Possible
When Stopping Suddenly	Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)	None. Once you take your foot off the pedal, the grinding should stop. If it doesn’t, you should book a brake pad replacement immediately.