Your car relies on a handful of key components to stay safe on the road and the only thing connecting all that tech to the tarmac is a contact patch no bigger than four postcards. That’s just 0.1m² of tyre gripping the road at any one time.
That surface shrinks when your tyres, brakes or suspension are worn. Which means longer stopping distances, less grip, and reduced control especially in an emergency.
As a result, it’s essential to check your brakes regularly to ensure your vehicle can come safely to a stop. In this blog, we’ll cover the warning signs that your brakes aren’t working as they should and how to check them.
Why brake checks matter
Modern cars are built with advanced safety systems, but the components that do the hard work, like brake pads and discs, wear down over time. If they’re not checked and replaced when needed, your braking performance can suffer, putting you and others at risk.
Spotting the signs of worn brakes
There are a few common signs that your brakes may need attention:
- Squealing or grinding noises
- Vibrations when braking
- Longer stopping distances
- A brake warning light on your dashboard
If you notice any of these issues, it’s time to inspect your braking system or book in for a professional check.
How to check your brakes
If you’re confident with DIY car maintenance, you can visually inspect your brake pads and discs yourself:
- Brake pads should be replaced if the friction material is less than 4mm thick.
- Brake discs should be checked for scoring, grooves, uneven wear or warping. Always compare the thickness to your vehicle manufacturer’s minimum specification.
- Always replace brake components in pairs (both front or both rear) to ensure balanced braking.
If anything needs replacing, take a look at our handy article on how to change your brake pads.
Quality brake parts you can trust
Whether you’re a seasoned DIYer or just starting out, Halfords has all the car parts you need to replace your brakes at home, including top-quality parts from trusted brands like Brembo, Bosch, Pagid, and Eicher.
All our brake parts meet ECE R90 standards, which means they match the performance of original equipment parts and won’t affect your vehicle’s warranty, provided they’re fitted correctly.
Use our handy car parts lookup tool. Just enter your vehicle registration or select your make, model, and year to find the right components. You can also filter by brand or part type to narrow your search.
Shop a range of car parts and brake essentials
From brake fluid to torque wrenches, we stock all the tools and consumables you’ll need to get the job done. And if you’re not sure what you need, our in-store experts are always happy to help.
Once you’ve chosen your parts, simply place your order online and collect from your local Halfords store in as little as 60 minutes.
Halfords Motoring Club
If you’re not already a member, join the Halfords Motoring Club where you can access a range of amazing benefits and discounts that are designed to keep you moving, keep you safe and keep you saving.
It’s free to join and you’ll receive money off your MOT, a free car health check and a welcome voucher that can be spent on any Halfords product or service.
Or choose our Premium membership for a monthly fee of £5.49 (£65.88) or £54 annually to unlock exclusive member pricing on all motoring products and services online and across our stores, garages and Halfords Mobile Expert, as well as a variety of other benefits that will help you to keep moving for less.
With so much to enjoy, this is too good an opportunity to miss!
