Free brake check

[Deleted User]

Good morning,


My brakes are squeaking so am looking at getting them checked with a view of getting several quotes for the repairs.


Looking online there are 3 companies that offer a free brake check:


Kwikfit
Halfords autocentres
National tyres and autocare- (Please note that due to the additional time required to check the shoes, drums, cylinders and brake fluid, an additional charge will be made for this service. This charge will be agreed with you in advance of the work being carried out.)


Has anyone used any of these free tests before and were the reports of any use of did you find that once you took the car elsewhere for a check that half the work on the report did not need to be carried out.


Thanks

RMS2

More information would help, type of car, actual noise, front or rear etc.


However, I can guarantee IMHO, that those three are likely to find work that needs done.

[Deleted User]

I was really initially asking for feedback on the quality and accuracy of the service provided but anyways here is the issue:
58 plate mazda2 brakes squeak at low speed when braking (possibly also at higher speed but road noise drowns out any sound). Sounds like its coming from the front wheels but will admit I am often wrong in identifying where the noises are coming from.

Thanks

harveybobbles

All three places will do a free brake check..

But they will then tell you how dangerous your car is and that you need discs and pads all round. Plus 4 tyres, some shockers, piece of exhaust, a few bulbs, wipers, antifreeze..

But at least you got a free brake check.

OddballJamie

Get a torch out and have a look for anything caught between the pad and the disc. Could be something like this. :eek:

facade

Ring round them and ask for the price of front discs & pads fitted.

They will find that they need changing if they are squealing, so you might as well find the price before you do the deed.

Then resist any and all attempts to sell you anything else.

RMS2

craig1123 wrote: »

I was really initially asking for feedback on the quality and accuracy of the service provided but anyways here is the issue:
58 plate mazda2 brakes squeak at low speed when braking (possibly also at higher speed but road noise drowns out any sound). Sounds like its coming from the front wheels but will admit I am often wrong in identifying where the noises are coming from.

Thanks

Feedback on quality accuracy. Excepting the odd individual branch and person employed by some branches, in the main, you will find an over purveying message of, get the punter to pay for something, we've done our free brake check marketing campaign and driven the customer into you business, now it's your job to sell him something while he's there.


They're not mechanics, they are fitters that are only trained on certain aspects of the vehicle and holistic approach is an anathema to them.


A long time ago, some of these places were quite good, but not in today's society.


On a rough basis, I would expect your car to currently be on it's second lot of front pads and in need of the third ones soon. You tell if you've let them wear away (metal to metal) as you hear a grunging sound. Better cars have break wear indicators that let you know they are coming to the end of their life (might be the squeal you are hearing) or you may some dust or something causing it.


You can take a gamble with one of the above or try to find a decent local garage - that's not always easy, I'm lucky in that I've found one and I'm sticking with it.

OnanTheBarbarian

Just use a local independent garage, if you go to the likes of Halfrauds, Kwik Fit or any of the big chains, you get all you deserve as they just want to sell you a load of parts you probably don't need.

[Deleted User]

My brakes are squeeking when I brake at low speeds. Something stuck between front pads and discs?

Just had rear brake shoes done a few months back.

TeamPlum

Deleted_User wrote: »

My brakes are squeeking when I brake at low speeds. Something stuck between front pads and discs?

Just had rear brake shoes done a few months back.

Some are fitted with a strip of metal designed to rub on the disc (and squeal) to alert you to the fact they need changing soon.

forgotmyname

Why would a company offer a free check?

Cynical me says they will tell you they need work soon and may as well do them now as the wheels are off.