Brake Checks & Repairs

Because “squeaky” shouldn’t describe your brakes...

Brake Checks
FREE
Brake Fluid
£52.00

Brake Repairs & Replacements

If your brakes are squeaking, grinding, pulling, or just doing something plain weird, it’s not something to ignore. Your car’s trying to tell you something, and chances are, it’s not good news. Pop in and let us take a look before that funny noise turns into a much greater disaster.
Your brakes are kind of a big deal. When they’re not doing their job properly, you’ll usually know about it and so will your passengers. Whether you’ve heard a strange noise, felt a wobble or noticed that warning light glowing at you from the dash, we’re here to get you safely (and quietly) back on the road.
At Whatlington Garage, we can carry out a full inspection of your brakes and provide a honest report on what needs changing and when.

Why Pick Us

There are plenty of reasons drivers choose Whatlington Garage for their brake checks, repairs & replacements, but here are just a few that our regulars keep coming back for.
We can often source brake parts quicky for same day repairs.
We carry out comprehensive brake checks and provide a full report.
We can test your brake fluid for accurate results.
We can collect & deliver your vehicle from home or work locally.

Common Brake Problems

If your car’s doing any of the following, it’s worth a look:
  • Grinding noise
    Often means your brake pads are worn so the metal’s doing the stopping. Ouch.
  • Squeaking or squealing
    Can be a sign of worn pads, a sticky caliper or needing a brake service
  • Juddering or wobble when braking
    Usually warped discs, often from heat build-up.
  • Pulling to one side
    May be caused by a seized caliper or uneven brake pressure.
  • Spongy brake pedal
    Air or moisture in the brake lines, or brake fluid past its prime.
  • Stiff or high brake pedal
    Could be a faulty vacuum servo or other hydraulic issue.
  • Brake warning lights
    These lights are mostly right, but can mean a faulty sensor.
  • Handbrake too high or not holding properly
    Common issue, especially before MOT time.
  • Rear wheels locking under braking
    Could be a faulty proportioning valve or handbrake imbalance.

Brake Work We Do

We work on most makes and models, and carry out a full range of brake-related jobs, including (but certainly not limited to):
  • Brake pad & disc replacement (front, rear or both)
  • Brake caliper repairs & replacements
  • Brake fluid change (recommended every 2 years)
  • Handbrake adjustments & cable replacements
  • ABS diagnostics & repairs
  • Full brake inspections (including wheels-off checks)

Brake Checks - Quick or Indepth

If you're not sure what’s wrong, we can start with a basic check. But for a full health report on your brakes, we recommend a full brake inspection, which includes:
  • Pad & disc thickness measurements
  • Caliper condition & operation
  • Brake pipe & hose checks
  • Brake fluid moisture test
  • Handbrake condition & adjustment
  • ABS system fault scan (where needed)
  • All four wheels off for a proper look
We’ll always call you before doing any work, and if you go ahead with the repairs, we’ll knock the cost of the inspection off your bill. Sound fair? We think so.

How Often Should Brakes Be Checked or Replaced?

It really depends on many factors such as the vehicle you drive, your driving style and type of driving, a general rule of thumb is:
  • Pads usually last anywhere from 20,000–40,000 miles. This is dependant on your driving style, vehicle weight and type of driving (urban or motorway).
  • Discs can last longer, but if they’re scored, warped, corroded or thin, they’ll need replacing. Discs can often last 2-3 pad changes as long as the pads are replaced before they wear.
  • Brake fluid should be changed about every 2 years. We can test your brake fluid to see it's boiling point and advise.
  • Handbrakes might need adjusting over time, especially if it starts pulling higher than usual. This is a common MOT failure.
City drivers with lots of stop-start traffic tend to wear through brakes quicker than motorway cruisers. Likewise heavy/larger or even sports vehicles will often wear through brakes quicker.

Frequently Asked Questions

Got questions about your brakes? You’re not the only one! Here are some of the most common things our customers ask before, during, and after their appointment. Still not sure about something? Just give us a call, we’re happy to help.

Common signs include grinding or squealing noises, the car pulling to one side, a spongy brake pedal, or warning lights on the dashboard. If something feels or sounds off, it probably is.

Best not. Noises usually mean something’s worn or sticking, and carrying on could damage more parts, or put your safety at risk. Get it checked before it turns into a bigger problem.

It depends on your driving style and mileage, but anywhere from 20,000 to 40,000 miles is typical. City drivers or those with larger/heavier vehicles tend to go through pads quicker than motorway cruisers.

Most brake jobs can be done same day, often within a couple of hours. We’ll let you know upfront how long we’ll need your car.

We check your pads, discs, calipers, brake pipes, hoses, brake fluid, and the handbrake. If needed, we’ll also do a road test and run diagnostics on ABS systems.

Costs vary depending on what needs doing and the make of your car. We’ll always quote you before we start and won’t do anything without your say-so.

Both! You can fit pads without discs as long as the discs are not worn or damaged. However we would not fit brake discs without changing the pads too. If the discs are worn or damaged, fitting new pads to them won’t help much. We’ll check both and advise honestly.

Usually air or moisture in the brake lines, or old brake fluid. It can also point to a leak or failing component, definitely worth checking out.

Every 2 years is a good rule of thumb. Brake fluid absorbs moisture over time, which affects braking performance. We can test the brake fluid for you and advise accurately of its condition.

They can do, yes. If braking efficiency isn’t up to scratch, or parts are too worn or imbalanced, it’s an instant fail. Regular checks can help avoid this.

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Whatlington
Garage

Gatebox Engineering Ltd

Whatlington Garage
Woodmans Green Road
Whatlington
East Sussex
TN33 0NL

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Reg No: 04328711
VAT No: 791230929
FCA FRN: 793203
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