Pickerells Auto Repair Shop

Car Brake Inspections & Replacement Services at Thornwood Motor Company
Book Your Car Brake Check Today at Thornwood Motor Company

If you're concerned about your car’s braking performance or simply want a pre-journey brake check, schedule an appointment at your nearest Thornwood Motor Company centre today.

Our expert brake technicians offer a free, no-obligation brake inspection to ensure your vehicle’s braking system is in top condition. After the inspection, we'll provide a detailed brake report and a transparent quote for any necessary repairs.


When Should You Get a Car Brake Inspection?

It's crucial to stay alert to the signs that your car’s brakes may need attention. Here are common warning signs that indicate your brakes need inspection:

  • Grinding Noise: Worn brake pads can cause a metal-on-metal grinding sound, which could damage your brake discs.
  • Squeaking: This could indicate worn brake pads or a stuck brake caliper. It's essential to have this checked promptly.
  • Pulsating Pedal: If you feel pulsation in the brake pedal, it might suggest warped brake discs due to overheating.
  • Vehicle Pulling: A car that pulls to one side when braking may have a seized brake caliper or other issues.
  • Spongy Pedal: A spongy or unresponsive brake pedal usually means air in the brake lines or a fluid issue.
  • Soft Brake Pedal: A soft pedal that goes to the floor indicates a serious issue, possibly with the master cylinder or brake fluid.
  • Brake Warning Light: If your brake warning light comes on, it’s essential to inspect the brake fluid and system immediately.
  • High Handbrake: If your handbrake feels unusually high, it may need adjusting to pass your MOT.

Regular brake checks help maintain optimal braking performance and safety, especially before long trips. Additionally, checking old brake fluid is crucial for effective braking, as moisture can reduce its efficiency.


Why Choose Thornwood Motor Company for Your Brake Inspection?

At Thornwood Motor Company, we understand the importance of regular brake checks to ensure your vehicle’s safety. With over 600 brake specialists across the UK, we provide expert, affordable brake maintenance.

What Does Our Brake Inspection Cover?

Our comprehensive brake check includes:

  • Static Test: Assess the brake system's basic functionality.
  • Initial Road Test: Identify braking issues during a test drive.
  • Pads & Shoes: Measure wear and check for damage.
  • Brake Fluid: Check fluid quality and moisture levels.
  • Calipers & Hoses: Inspect for damage and leaks.
  • Parking Brake: Ensure handbrake functionality.

How Often Should You Replace Car Brakes?

Brake pads typically last 25,000 to 60,000 miles, depending on your driving habits. We recommend replacing brake pads when they wear down to 3mm, and brake discs should be replaced when they reach the manufacturer's safe minimum thickness. Our technicians are equipped to handle these inspections and replacements efficiently.


Brake Care FAQs

Still have questions? Explore the answers to some of the most common brake-related queries:

  • How much do new brakes cost?
  • Where can I get a free brake check?
  • What causes car brakes to squeal?
  • How do you test car brakes?

For further assistance or to book an appointment, get in touch with Thornwood Motor Company, where our experts are ready to help you.

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Frequently asked questions

How Much Does Brake Repair and Replacement Cost in the UK? Depending on what parts of the brake system need to be replaced, you can expect a brake repair or replacement to cost anywhere from £100 to £500. Sometimes you may just need a brake fluid check and top up which can cost around £40.

If your brake pads are worn, it's not safe to continue driving and you should have them replaced as soon as possible.

Many new and modern vehicles may not need a full service, but it is worth keeping it in optimum condition. By servicing your car regularly, you will save money in the long run by avoiding major breakdowns and costly repairs.

This type of service is undertaken by a qualified mechanic and is often done in conjunction with an oil change and repairing general wear and tear. The full car service includes checking the brakes, suspension, steering, exhaust, oil, fluids, and lights, as well as performing an overall safety check

New oil and air filters make for a smoother running engine and a more fuel efficient car, while addressing issues such as under inflated tyres will reduce rolling resistance and improve fuel consumption.

Areas we cover

Postcodes

CM4   CM23   CM9   CM24   CM21   CM12   CM20   CM7   CM13   CM17   CM8   CM19   CM2   CM6   CM16   CM1   CM3   CM0   CM15   CM22   CM14   CM5   CM11

Towns

Tolleshunt Knights   Billericay   Southminster   Goldhanger   Ingrave   Howe Street   Woodham Walter   Margaretting   Cressing   Great Leighs   Tolleshunt Major   Ford End   Hastingwood   High Ongar   Sheering   Henham   Fiddlers Hamlet   Crays Hill   Potter Street   Brook Street   Heybridge   Beauchamp Roding   Herongate   Faulkbourne   Blackmore End   Edney Common   Ugley Green   Fuller Street   Ramsden Bellhouse   Dunton Wayletts   Chipping Hill   Bannister Green   Epping Upland   Dengie   Good Easter   Ostend   Clatterford End   Kelvedon Hatch   Stagden Cross   Mashbury   Great Braxted   Ulting   Blackmore   Fyfield   East Horndon   Chickney   Little Bardfield   Latchingdon   Roydon   Great Canney   Causeway End   High Garrett   Abbess Roding   Berden   Churchend   Downham   Duck End   Bicknacre   Gilston Park   Great Saling   Bishop's Stortford   Witham   Great Oxney Green   Barnston   Heybridge   Rivenhall End   Howe Street   Gamble's Green   Norton Mandeville   Great Dunmow   Roxwell   Bradwell Waterside   Takeley Street   Matching Tye   Epping   Thorley Street   Woodham Mortimer   Tolleshunt D'Arcy   Widford   Tye Common   Elsenham   Finchingfield   Galleywood   Allen's Green   Bradwell   Takeley   Fairstead   Threshers Bush   Little Braxted   Greensted   Aythorpe Roding   Oxen End   Shelley   Shellow Bowells   Ugley   Great Baddow   Steeple   Stondon Massey   Cock Clarks   Childerditch   Boreham   Duton Hill   Cooksmill Green   High Laver   Foster Street   Felsted   Churchgate Street   Tillingham   Panfield   Moulsham   Sandon   Rivenhall   South Green   Little Laver   St Lawrence   Fryerning   Smith's Green   Bardfield End Green   Hazel End   Great Warley   Burnham-on-Crouch   Langford   Deal Hall   Stoneyhills   Church End   Bardfield Saling   Virley   Ramsden Heath   Maldon   Little Warley   Sawbridgeworth   Thornwood Common   Bocking   Cobler's Green   Little Hallingbury   Matching   Hatfield Broad Oak   Broxted   Butcher's Pasture   Mill Green   Black Notley   Mountnessing   Great Waltham   Little Parndon   Crix   Bocking Churchstreet   Little Totham   Bobbingworth   Farnham Green   Broomfield   Stock   Bacon End   Beazley End   Great Parndon   Heybridge Basin   Great Bardfield   Manuden   Norton Heath   Magdalen Laver   Writtle   Bradwell-on-Sea   Great Easton   Chignall St James   Theydon Bois   Salcott   West Horndon   Bishop's Green   Shenfield   Pilgrims Hatch   Tylers Green   Little Baddow   Great Hallingbury   Broad Street Green   Toot Hill   Danbury   Little Burstead   Loves Green   Hatfield Heath   Cold Norton   Birchanger   Berners Roding   Stansted Mountfitchet   Chelmsford   Bran End   Galleyend   Spellbrook   Stanford Rivers   Broadgroves   Chipping Ongar   Jasper's Green   Epping Green   Wickham Bishops   Coxtie Green   Matching Green   Brentwood   Ingatestone   Eastwick   Pickerells   Hutton   Roydon Hamlet   Moreton   Great Totham   Ramsey Island   Farnham   Mundon   Navestock Side   Harlow   Monsale   Tollesbury   Nine Ashes   High Easter   Coopersale Common   Althorne   South Weald   Braintree   High Wych   Church Langley   Great Canfield   East Hanningfield   Little End   Howe Green   Asheldham   Cornish Hall End   Thorley   White Notley   West Hanningfield   Hope End Green   Great Burstead   Silver End   Hatfield Peverel   North Weald Bassett   Doddinghurst   Hazeleigh   Chignall Smealy   Bamber's Green

Counties

Hertfordshire   Essex