Great Dunmow 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

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

Towns

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

Counties

Essex   Hertfordshire