Brake system

MOTRIO garages carry out the full range of brake repair services on any car, including hybrids and electric vehicles. The service covers brake pad replacement, brake disc replacement, brake fluid change with full system bleed, brake calliper service, inspection of pipes and hoses, and a complete brake system diagnostic. Prices for brake work are confirmed by an upfront quote, with no surprises at the end. The service is available by appointment at MOTRIO garages across the UK, with a 1-year warranty on parts and labour.

Book your brake pad replacement, brake disc replacement, brake fluid change or full brake inspection directly at your nearest MOTRIO garage. The MOTRIO network covers the whole of the UK, ready to work on any vehicle at the right price, with a 1-year warranty on parts and labour.

Find your nearest MOTRIO garage

In addition to brake repair, MOTRIO garages cover all the safety and dynamic systems that work together with your brakes. From the MOT to suspension, from tyres to full servicing:

• MOT → pre-MOT inspection (brakes are a major MOT checkpoint)

• Shock absorbers & suspension → suspension repair (handling combines brakes + suspension)

• Tyres → tyre fitting and grip (key for braking distances)

• Vehicle maintenance → oil change, check-up and full service

The wear rate of front brake pads depends on your driving style and the types of routes you take. As a general rule, they wear faster in urban areas, where you brake more often. For your safety, we recommend having them checked every 2 years or approximately every 12,500 miles.

Front brake pads (left and right) must always be changed at the same time to ensure balanced braking distribution. If you hear a squealing sound when braking, this may already be the wear indicator letting you know that the pads are close to the end of their life.

Our MOTRIO technicians can talk you through it and tell you exactly where you stand. You can schedule your appointment online in just a few clicks.

Brake discs generally wear more slowly than pads, but they need to be replaced if they become too thin, warped, or scored. Replacement often takes place between 37,000 and 50,000 miles, depending on wear and the manufacturer's recommendations.

If you notice a pulsation through the pedal when you brake at motorway speeds, that is usually a sign that the discs have warped from heat. In that case the discs should be replaced together with new pads, because fitting new pads on warped discs ruins the new pads very quickly.

Brake fluid transfers the pressure from the pedal to the brakes. Over time, it absorbs moisture from the air, which lowers its boiling point and reduces braking performance, especially under repeated hard braking on hills or in heavy traffic. It is therefore advisable to replace it every 2 years to guarantee optimal braking.

During a brake fluid change at a MOTRIO garage, our technicians test the moisture content and boiling point of the old fluid before bleeding the system. This way you know whether the fluid was due, and you have a clean record of the service in your book.

Common signs of a problem with your brakes:

• Abnormal noises such as grinding or squeaking

• A soft or "spongy" brake pedal that sinks excessively

• Vibrations felt during braking

• Loss of efficiency or increased stopping distances

• The car pulling to one side under braking

• Brake warning light or ABS light on the dashboard

If any of these symptoms appear, a full inspection of the braking system is highly recommended. A grinding noise in particular usually means the pads are completely worn down to the metal backing plate, which damages the discs very quickly and is dangerous in an emergency stop. In that case, don't wait for the next service — book a brake check straight away.