Squealing or screeching when you brake
Usually the wear indicator, a small metal tab designed to sing when the pad is nearly done. It is the cheapest warning you will ever get. Book it in this week, while it is still just pads.
Free brake check first
Brake Repair and Replacement in Dudley and the Black Country
Squealing, grinding, juddering, or a pedal that has gone soft? We come to you, measure the pads and discs, and give you a fixed price before a single part is fitted. Pads only when pads are all it needs.
Pads from £80 fittedHome, work or workshop12-month warranty
4.9• 370+ Reviews
Measured, not assumed
Discs only when the numbers say so.
Pad and disc thickness checked against the minimum
Fixed price before a wheel comes off
Road-tested before you get it back
The honest bit
Brakes are the one job where waiting costs the most.
A brake pad is designed to wear out. That is its job. What it is not designed to do is wear out completely, because the moment the friction material is gone the steel backing plate starts machining the disc, and a job that was a set of pads becomes pads and discs.
Leave it longer still and the heat and the debris get into the caliper, so now it is pads, discs and a caliper. Every stage of that is louder, less safe and more expensive than the one before, and every stage gives you a warning first.
The other thing worth knowing is that driving a car with suspect brakes to a garage is exactly the journey you do not want to make. Because we come to you, you do not have to. We check it where it is parked, and most of the time we can fix it there too.
Caught early it is pads. Left too long it is pads, discs and a caliper. That is the whole message of this page.
Symptoms decoded
What your brakes are telling you
None of these are a diagnosis on their own, and nobody can quote you discs over the phone. But they do tell you how urgent it is, and two of them mean stop driving and call us.
Grinding, like metal on metal
Stop and callBecause it is. The friction material has gone and the backing plate is cutting into the disc. Every mile now is scoring a disc that might have been fine, and your stopping distance is growing. Keep driving to a minimum and call us.
A spongy pedal, or one that sinks to the floor
Stop and callAir or moisture in the fluid, a tired flexible hose, or a leak somewhere in the system. A soft pedal wants looking at soon. A pedal that keeps sinking under your foot is a stop-driving symptom, not a book-it-next-week one.
Pulling to one side when you brake
One side is doing more work than the other. Very often a caliper slider that has seized, or a piston that will not release properly, so one pad is dragging or not gripping. It is also an MOT failure for brake imbalance.
Judder through the pedal or the steering wheel
Usually a disc that has warped or worn unevenly, sometimes uneven pad deposits on the disc face. Occasionally it is a caliper not letting go rather than the disc itself, which is why we measure before we condemn anything.
The brake warning light on the dash
This covers a lot of ground: low fluid, a worn-pad sensor, the handbrake switch, or an ABS fault. A scan tells us which in minutes, and it is the one symptom on this list where we plug in before we pick up a spanner.
Grinding and a sinking pedal mean today. Everything else means this week, while it is still just pads.
The free check
What actually happens before we quote
The check is free because it is how we work out what to charge you, not a sales visit. You get the measurements either way, and no obligation.
Step 1
We listen to the symptom first
When it started, whether it is a noise, a feel or a light, and whether it is worse hot, cold, or on the motorway. The symptom points us at the right corner of the car before anything comes apart.
Step 2
Pads and discs measured, not eyeballed
Pad thickness on every wheel, and disc thickness against the manufacturer’s minimum. Discs are checked for lips, scoring and warping. You get the numbers, so you know exactly how much life is left.
Step 3
Calipers, hoses and handbrake
Sliders and pistons checked for free movement, hoses and pipes for corrosion and leaks, handbrake cable and adjustment. A lot of uneven braking lives here rather than in the pads.
Step 4
Fluid tested, not just topped up
Brake fluid absorbs moisture over time, which is what softens the pedal and lowers the boiling point. We check the level and the condition, and tell you if a fluid change is due.
Step 5
A fixed price before anything is fitted
You are told what needs doing now, what can wait, and what it costs. If the discs are within spec you pay for pads. Nothing gets added to the bill without a phone call, and the car is road-tested before you get it back.
More than pads
Braking is a system, so we check the whole thing
Pads are the most common job, but they are only the part you can hear. A soft pedal, a pull to one side or a warning light usually lives somewhere else, and fitting pads does not fix any of them.
- Discs: Measured against the manufacturer’s minimum thickness and checked for lips, scoring and run-out. Replaced only when the numbers say so.
- Brake fluid: Absorbs moisture over time, which softens the pedal and lowers the boiling point. We test it and change DOT 4 or 5.1 fluid where it is due.
- Calipers, hoses and handbrake: Sticking sliders, seized pistons and tired cables are behind a lot of pulling, dragging and uneven pad wear. Cleaned, freed off or replaced as the job needs.
- ABS and warning lights: A full diagnostic scan to pinpoint sensor, wiring and pump faults before any part is replaced. A code is a clue, not a diagnosis.
What every brake job includes
- Free brake check before we quote
- Quality OEM-standard pads with matched friction material
- Disc condition inspection and thickness measurement
- Brake fluid check, top-up and condition assessment
- Caliper slider pin cleaning and lubrication
- Handbrake adjustment and cable inspection
- Road test to verify braking before you get the car back
- 12-month parts and labour warranty
Your driveway or our workshop?
Pads, and in most cases discs, are done on your driveway or in your work car park. We bring the tools, the parts and a torque wrench, and we road-test the car before we hand the keys back. All you need is somewhere flat and safe to work.
Anything that genuinely needs a ramp, such as seized pipes, a caliper rebuild or a car that is not safe to move, gets collected, done properly at Unit 6, Turner Street, Dudley, and brought back.
Call and describe what it is doing. We will tell you which of the two yours is before you commit to anything.
What it costs
- Brake check
- Free
- Front or rear brake pads, fitted
- From £80
- Pads and discs, per axle
- Quoted after the check
- Brake fluid change
- Quoted after the check
- Calipers, hoses and handbrake
- Quoted after the check
- ABS and warning light diagnostics
- From £45
We measure the pads and discs first, then give you a fixed price before any work begins. Quality OEM-standard parts, and no phone call halfway through that changes the number.
12-month parts and labour warranty on everything we fit.
From the workshop
What we've sorted recently
Real jobs off our ramps, described by the mechanic who did them.
Hyundai i10Service, MOT and brake fluid change
Low mileage, but brake fluid ages by the calendar: Hyundai i10
This Hyundai i10 came into the Dudley workshop for a routine service and MOT. Nothing reported wrong with it. The owner asked for the brake fluid to be changed at the same time, so that went on the job sheet alongside the service.
It was an extremely clean car, and a low-mileage one. Elliot did not think she does a lot of miles in it, and it looked that way once it was up on the ramp. That is exactly the kind of car where brake fluid gets forgotten, because the mileage never seems to justify it.
Elliot did the service, put the car through its MOT and replaced the brake fluid. The whole job took around an hour and a half to two hours, and then we dropped it back to her.
Worth knowing: brake fluid ages by the calendar, not the odometer. It absorbs moisture from the air over time, and that moisture boils at a far lower temperature than the fluid itself, which is what leaves a pedal feeling soft under heavy braking. Most manufacturers say every two years, whatever the mileage, and a low-mileage car is no exception.
Range Rover EvoqueABS pump replacement
Grabby, uneven braking traced to a failing ABS pump: Range Rover Evoque
The owner of this Range Rover Evoque brought it in because the braking had started to feel off. Grabby and uneven rather than smooth. That is the sort of complaint it is easy to throw parts at, so instead we put it on the diagnostic kit and traced it to a failing ABS pump rather than guessing our way there.
With the fault confirmed we replaced the pump and got the braking back to feeling like it should. Pinpointing it first saved the owner the time and cost of chasing the wrong thing.
Mini, 2019Discs, pads and full service
Discs and pads all round, and a service while it was in: 2019 Mini
This 2019 Mini came in for discs and pads all round along with a full service, and it made a real difference. The discs and pads were heavily worn, the sort of thing that quietly stretches your stopping distance before you ever notice it.
With new components fitted and the service done, it is driving smoother and stopping a lot sharper. It is a good example of why regular maintenance pays off, because leaving brakes too long tends to cost more and put you at risk in the meantime. If yours has not been serviced in a while, or the brakes have started making noise, get it checked before it turns into something bigger.
Brakes and the MOT
Brake performance, the balance between the two sides, and the condition of pads, discs, pipes and hoses are all on the MOT test, and brakes are one of the most common reasons a car fails. A pad that is nearly through, a disc below its minimum, or a corroded pipe will all do it.
If the test is coming up and the brakes feel off, it is cheaper to have them checked and sorted beforehand than to fail, pay for the work anyway, and then pay for a re-test on top.
MOT testing with a pre-check firstABS or brake light on?
That is a diagnostics job before it is a brake job. The same light can mean low fluid, a worn-pad sensor, a wheel speed sensor, a wiring fault or the ABS pump itself, and they are very different bills. The Evoque above is a good example of why we scan first.
Your normal brakes still work with an ABS light on. What you have lost is the anti-lock help in an emergency stop, and it is an MOT failure, so it is not one to live with.
Mobile diagnostics from £45In their words
What our customers say
Very reliable came to look at my car in 30 mins the brakes had gone towed my car and repaired it very impressed done a good job would recommend to anyone
Elaine
Verified customer
Brilliant service from Elliot at YourLocalMechanic. He is a genuinely trustworthy, friendly and reliable man. He came to my house, ran diagnostics and quickly identified and fixed the issue, making the whole process completely hassle-free. The pricing was fair and reasonable, and the service was excellent from start to finish. I would definitely recommend Elliot to anyone looking for an honest and reliable mechanic.
A Smith
Verified customer
Really fast and good service. The guy was really kind and understanding and I was happy with the service.
Carlos Arango
Verified customer
This service is for you if
- Squealing, grinding, juddering or spongy brakes you want sorted safely and soon
- You would rather have the pads done on your drive or at work than lose a day at a garage
- You want quality parts and a written warranty, not the cheapest pad on the shelf
- A brake or ABS warning light you want diagnosed properly before parts are bought
- The MOT is coming up and the brakes do not feel right
When we're not the right call
- Performance and track big-brake conversions, which is specialist territory
- Accident or bodywork damage, which is not what we do
We'll always tell you honestly if someone else is a better fit.
Mobile brake repair across the Black Country
We check and fit at your place, and collect for the jobs that need a ramp.
Workshop: Unit 6, Turner Street, Dudley, DY1 1TX. Open seven days, 7am to 5pm.
55+ years between them. 12-month parts warranty. £5m public liability cover.
Who'll do the work
Every job is carried out by Elliot or Keith - the mechanic who quotes your job is the one who works on your car. No call centres, no subcontractors.
Elliot Wheeler
Lead Mechanic & Founder
Founder of Your Local Mechanic. City & Guilds Level 3 qualified with 15+ years experience, specialising in modern diagnostics and hybrid vehicles across the Black Country.
Keith Wheeler
Senior Mechanic & MOT Assessor
Senior mechanic at Your Local Mechanic with 40+ years Vauxhall main dealer experience and a fully qualified MOT assessor, known for honest, careful work across the Black Country.
Before you call
Common questions
How much does brake repair cost?
Front or rear brake pads start from £80 fitted, at your home, your workplace or our workshop. If the discs are worn or the job needs more than pads, we measure everything during the free brake check and give you a fixed price before any work starts. No surprises, and nothing added without a phone call.
Can you really replace brake pads at my home?
Yes. Brake pads, and in most cases discs, can be replaced on your driveway or at your workplace. We bring the tools, the parts and a torque wrench, and we road-test the car afterwards. Jobs that genuinely need a ramp are collected, done properly in the workshop and brought back.
What a mobile mechanic can and cannot do on a drivewayMy brakes are grinding. Can I still drive the car?
Grinding usually means the pad friction material has worn away and metal is contacting the disc. Every mile driven like that damages the discs and increases your stopping distance, so keep driving to a minimum and get it checked urgently. Because we come to you, you do not have to drive it to a garage, and we can usually get to you the same day.
Do brake discs always need replacing with the pads?
No, and we will not sell you discs you do not need. We measure disc thickness against the manufacturer’s minimum and check for scoring, lips and warping. If the discs are within spec, you only pay for pads. If they are not, we show you the measurement rather than ask you to take our word for it.
How long does a brake job take?
Pads on one axle are usually around an hour. Pads and discs together take a little longer, and doing both axles is most of a morning. We tell you the time when we quote, and if you want to get on with your day while we work, that is what mobile is for.
How long do brake pads last?
Typically 25,000 to 60,000 miles depending on how and where you drive. Town driving with lots of stop-start, which is most of the Black Country, wears pads faster than motorway miles. A free check tells you exactly how much material is left, so you can plan the job rather than be surprised by it.
Why does my brake pedal feel spongy?
Most often it is the fluid. Brake fluid absorbs moisture over time, which compresses more than fresh fluid and softens the pedal. Sometimes it is air in the system after work elsewhere, or a flexible hose that is ballooning under pressure. A fluid test and a look at the hoses usually finds it. A pedal that keeps sinking to the floor is different, and means stop and call us.
The ABS or brake warning light is on. Is that a brake job or a diagnostics job?
Diagnostics first, from £45. The light can mean low fluid, a worn-pad sensor, a wheel speed sensor, wiring, or the ABS pump itself, and they are very different bills. We scan the car, test the component the code points at, and only then quote the repair. Your normal brakes still work with an ABS light on, but the anti-lock help in an emergency stop does not, and it is an MOT failure.
How a full diagnostic scan worksWill worn brakes fail my MOT?
Yes. Brake performance, imbalance between sides, and the condition of pads, discs, pipes and hoses are all tested, and brakes are one of the most common MOT failure categories. If your MOT is coming up and the brakes feel off, it is cheaper to sort them beforehand than to fail and pay for a re-test.
MOT testing with a pre-check firstBrakes not right? Get them checked free.
Tell Elliot or Keith what the car is doing. You'll get a straight answer on whether it is safe to drive, what it probably needs, and a fixed price before anything is fitted.
We usually respond within the hour.