Your brakes need replacement if you hear squeaking or grinding sounds during braking, feel vibrations in the brake pedal, notice a longer braking distance, or if the warning light on your dashboard comes on. These signals indicate worn brake pads or brake discs. It’s wise to have your brakes checked regularly, for example during the MOT or your service appointment, to detect problems early. We discuss the most important signals, inspection intervals and what you can check yourself below.
What signals indicate that your brakes are worn?
The most common warning signals are squeaking or grinding sounds during braking, vibrations in the brake pedal, a longer braking distance than normal, and a warning light on your dashboard. Squeaking sounds often come from wear indicators that show your brake pads are nearly worn out. Grinding sounds are more serious and usually mean the brake pads are completely worn and metal is scraping against metal.
Vibrations in the brake pedal often indicate unevenly worn or warped brake discs. You’ll notice this especially at higher speeds, for example on the highway. You’ll then feel a pulsating movement through the brake pedal when you brake. This can be caused by overheating of the brakes or normal wear over time.
A longer braking distance is dangerous and means your brakes aren’t doing their job properly anymore. You’ll notice this because you have to press harder on the brake pedal to get the same braking force, or that your car takes longer to come to a stop. This can be caused by worn brake pads, but also by problems with the brake fluid or brake cylinders.
Modern cars often have a warning light for the brake system. If this light stays on or comes on while driving, this can indicate worn brake pads, low brake fluid level or other problems with the brake system. Never ignore this signal and have your car checked as soon as possible.
Other recognizable signals are a car pulling to one side during braking (one brake works better than the other), a soft or spongy feeling brake pedal (often a sign of air in the brake system), or a burning smell after intensive braking. With Renault, Peugeot and Citroen models you often see these signals between 30,000 and 60,000 kilometers, depending on your driving style and conditions.
How often should you have your brakes checked?
Having your brakes checked during your annual MOT test or major service is the minimum. For most cars this means once a year or every 15,000 to 20,000 kilometers. During this inspection the thickness of the brake pads is measured and the brake discs are visually inspected for wear, cracks or deformations. The brake fluid level and the operation of the brake cylinders are also checked.
Brake pads and brake discs don’t wear at the same rate. Brake pads are wear parts that last on average between 30,000 and 70,000 kilometers, depending on your driving style and where you drive. Lots of city traffic with constant braking wears faster than quiet highway traffic. Brake discs last longer, often two to three times as long as brake pads, but eventually need to be replaced too.
With Renault models we work with official flat rate codes for maintenance, where brake inspection is a standard part of the service. Similar maintenance intervals apply for Peugeot and Citroen. As an authorized Renault specialist we can handle all warranty cases and lease maintenance according to factory specifications.
Between inspections you need to be extra alert if you drive many kilometers, regularly drive with a trailer, often drive in mountainous areas, or have a sporty driving style. These conditions accelerate the wear of your brakes. Also after a long holiday trip with lots of luggage it’s wise to have your brakes checked.
For lease drivers regular brake inspection is extra important because overdue maintenance can lead to discussions when returning the vehicle. As an authorized dealer workshop we handle all lease maintenance according to the required specifications, so your lease car meets all requirements.
What happens if you wait too long to replace your brakes?
Waiting too long to replace brakes brings serious safety risks. Your braking distance becomes longer, so you can’t stop in time in emergency situations. This significantly increases the chance of collisions. Additionally, worn brakes can work unevenly, causing your car to pull to one side during braking and you could lose control.
Financially it also becomes more expensive. When brake pads are completely worn, the metal backing plate scrapes directly on the brake disc. This damages the brake discs, which are much more expensive to replace than just brake pads. A set of new brake pads often costs a few hundred pounds, while new brake discs can easily add the same amount again.
With extreme wear other components can also be damaged, such as the brake cylinders and brake lines. In the worst case the brake system can fail completely, which is life-threatening. The brake fluid can also overheat due to the extra friction, causing it to lose its effectiveness.
A practical consequence is that your car won’t pass the MOT test. Worn brakes are a direct failure reason. You’ll then still have to have the brakes replaced and tested again, which costs extra time and money. For lease drivers this can also cause problems with the lease company.
Damage to your wheels is also a real risk. When brake discs wear unevenly or become damaged, they can lose pieces of metal that damage your wheels. You see this especially with alloy wheels, which are expensive to replace or repair.
Can you check yourself if your brakes are still good?
You can perform a basic inspection yourself without special knowledge or tools. Look through the spokes of your wheels at the brake disc and brake pad. The brake pad sits like a clamp around the brake disc. If the brake pad is thinner than about 3 millimeters, replacement is needed. The brake disc should look smooth and even, without deep grooves or cracks.
Listen for unusual sounds while driving. Squeaking or grinding sounds during braking are clear warning signals. Also test the brake behavior in a safe place. If you have to press harder than normal, or if the car pulls to one side during braking, something is wrong.
Check the brake fluid level in the engine bay. The reservoir is usually at the back of the engine compartment, on the driver’s side. The fluid should be between the minimum and maximum markings. If the level is low, this can indicate leakage or worn brake pads. Brake fluid should be clear to light yellow, not dark or cloudy.
Pay attention to the feel of the brake pedal. It should feel firm and not soft or spongy. If you can press the pedal all the way down almost to the floor, there’s probably a problem with the brake system. A vibrating or pulsating brake pedal is also a sign that something isn’t right.
However, there are limits to what you can check yourself. A professional inspection measures the exact thickness of brake pads and brake discs, checks for hidden cracks, tests the operation of the brake cylinders, checks the brake fluid for quality and moisture content, and inspects the brake lines for leaks. When in doubt or when you notice one of the warning signals, it’s wise to come in for a thorough inspection. We perform brake inspections for all car brands and give you honest advice about what’s needed.
Conclusion
Well-functioning brakes are important for your safety. By being alert to warning signals such as squeaking sounds, vibrations or a longer braking distance, you can spot problems early. Regular inspection during the MOT or service prevents small problems from growing into expensive repairs. While you can do a basic check yourself, a professional inspection gives certainty about the condition of your complete brake system.
At Autobedrijven Verdonk we handle repairs and maintenance for all car brands. As an authorized Renault specialist we have extensive experience with Renault, Peugeot and Citroen models, but your car is also welcome for a brake inspection. We take the time to explain what’s going on and give you honest advice about what’s needed. Do you doubt whether your brakes are still good? Feel free to drop by or schedule an inspection. We’re happy to help you further with transparent prices and professional service.
Need help with your brakes?
Have you noticed warning signals or do you doubt the condition of your brakes? At Autobedrijven Verdonk in Veldhoven we’re happy to help you with a professional brake inspection and tailored advice. Our experienced team is ready to professionally check your car and quickly and reliably solve any problems. Make an appointment and drive safely on the road again.