Brakes and suspension, done where you are

Brakes are the one system where putting the job off has a cost you cannot argue with. They also happen to be one of the most straightforward things to do properly at the kerb, with the right tools and the right parts on the van.

Signs worth booking for

• Grinding. Usually metal on metal, which means the pad material is gone and the rotor is being cut. This gets more expensive every day you drive it.
• Squealing that stops when you brake. Often the wear indicator doing exactly its job, telling you the pads are near the end.
• A pedal that sinks slowly while you sit at the lights, which can point to a master cylinder or a fluid problem.
• Pulling to one side under braking, which is often a sticking caliper.
• Shuddering through the pedal at speed, usually warped or unevenly worn rotors.
• Handbrake that needs three extra clicks compared with a year ago.

What I can do at the kerb

Pads and rotors, brake fluid replacement, handbrake adjustment, caliper work, and diagnosing which corner is causing the problem. Shocks and bushes as well, on the many cars where that job genuinely does not need a hoist.

Some jobs honestly do need a workshop. If yours is one of them I will say so rather than start something in your driveway that should not be finished there.

Fixed price before I drive

You get the price including parts before I leave, not after the wheels are off. If I cannot tell what is needed without looking, I say that up front rather than quoting a number I would have to revise.

Common questions

Do rotors always need replacing with pads?

No. If they are above minimum thickness and not warped or scored, they stay. Anyone telling you rotors must be replaced every single time is selling rotors.

How long does a brake job take?

A straightforward pad and rotor replacement on one axle is usually well under two hours at the kerb.