Chignall Smealy New Clutch

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.

Vehicle Diagnostics

Vehicle Diagnostics

Get a full diagnostics on your car by a professional mechanic. 

Find Out More..

Services We Can Offer

SERVICES WE ARE PROUD TO OFFER

Find out More..
Services We Can Offer

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

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

Towns

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

Counties

Essex   Hertfordshire