Squeaking Brakes: Causes and When to Worry

Written by Petro Olekhnovych, mobile mechanic in Aylesham, Kent

Squeaking brakes are often harmless, especially a brief squeak on the first few stops of a damp morning. But a squeal that keeps coming back, gets louder or happens on every stop can mean your brake pads are wearing out. If the squeak turns into a grinding or scraping sound, stop driving and get the brakes checked.

Why brakes squeak

Brake noise usually comes from vibration somewhere in the brake at the wheel. Ferodo, the brake parts maker, explains that some vibration is normal, but it becomes a noise you can hear when it increases. The pad is often blamed, but the vibration can start in other parts too.

The most common causes are:

• Damp or light surface rust. Overnight dew, rain or humidity can leave moisture or a thin layer of rust on the brake discs. The pads normally wipe it off after a few stops and the noise goes.
• Worn brake pads. Squeaking can become more frequent as the pads wear down. Motability calls a loud screech when braking a real warning sign that the pads need replacing, or at least inspecting.
• New pads. A new car, or one with new pads, may squeak for a while because of the pad material.
• Sticky caliper parts. If the caliper piston or its sliding parts do not move freely, the brake can squeal. Ferodo lists this as a known cause.
• Missing or badly fitted shims and clips. These small parts help damp vibration. If they are missing, worn or wrongly fitted, the brakes can squeal.
• Worn or uneven discs. Heavily worn discs, or discs with an uneven surface, are another listed cause of squeal.

Squeaking brakes: when to worry

A short squeak on a wet morning that stops after a few gentle stops is usually nothing to worry about. The same goes for a car that has been parked for a few days and has a light layer of rust on the discs.

Get the brakes looked at if:

• the squeak happens on every stop, even after the car has warmed up
• it is getting louder or more frequent
• your brake pad warning light is on
• the car pulls to one side when you brake
• you feel vibration through the pedal or steering wheel

Stop driving and get it checked if the squeak changes to grinding, scraping or a metallic rubbing sound. That often means the pads are worn right down and metal is touching the disc. We cover that in our guide to grinding brakes.

Can I still drive with squeaking brakes?

If the squeak is brief, only happens in damp weather and the brakes feel normal, it is usually fine to keep driving while you keep an ear on it.

If the squeak is constant, or there is any change in how the brakes feel, do not ignore it. The Highway Code says not to ignore warning signs, as they could indicate a dangerous fault developing. Brakes are not something to gamble with.

Will squeaking brakes fail an MOT?

Noise on its own is not an MOT fail. But the cause can be. Under the DVSA MOT inspection manual:

• a pad worn down to its wear indicator is a major defect (fail)
• a pad worn below 1.5mm is a dangerous defect
• a pad contaminated with oil or grease is a major defect
• a disc that is significantly and obviously worn is a major defect

So if your brakes are squeaking because the pads are nearly finished, it is worth sorting before the test. A pre-MOT check can pick this up.

What it costs and why

There is no single price, because it depends on the cause. A squeak from damp needs nothing at all. A squeak from worn pads means new pads, and possibly discs if they are worn too. Part prices vary a lot between makes and models.

Our labour is £30-£50 per hour depending on the job, plus parts. For a full breakdown of what affects the price, see our guide to brake pads and discs cost.

How we can help

We are a mobile mechanic, so we come to your home or workplace. We cover Aylesham, Canterbury, Dover, Deal, Walmer, Sandwich, Folkestone and the villages around them. See the full list on our areas we cover page.

We can inspect your brakes, find what is causing the squeak and tell you what it needs. We replace brake pads and brake discs. Labour is £30-£50 per hour, parts are extra, and we agree the price with you on WhatsApp before any work starts.

Frequently asked questions

Why do my brakes squeak in the morning and then stop?
Usually overnight moisture or light surface rust on the discs. The pads wipe it off after a few stops and the noise goes. If it carries on after the car has warmed up, get it checked.

Do new brake pads squeak?
They can, depending on the pad material. If the squeak is loud, constant or gets worse, have them checked in case something was not fitted correctly.

Is a squeak the same as the wear indicator?
Not always. Squeaking can become more frequent as pads wear, and many cars also have a dashboard warning light for low pads. Not every car has a pad sensor, so regular checks matter.

Should I spray something on squeaky brakes?
Never spray oil or lubricant on the discs or pads. A pad contaminated with oil or grease is an MOT major defect. Get the cause found instead.

Need help? Send a WhatsApp to 07563 350335 with your car’s make and model and we’ll come to you.

Sources

• Explaining brake noise (Ferodo technical bulletin)
• Brake noise: what makes it and how to stop it (PMM)
• Everything you need to know about brake pads (Motability)
• Should I worry about squeaky brakes? (CarKeys)
• Why do brakes squeal in the morning? (Christian Brothers Automotive)
• MOT inspection manual: brakes (GOV.UK)
• The Highway Code: Annex 6 vehicle maintenance (GOV.UK)