Takeley Van Mechanic

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

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

Towns

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

Counties

Hertfordshire   Essex