Autobutler conducted a price check on jobs done on brakes. The result showed there was up to 31% to be saved on the garage bill if you send the job for tender among several different garages.
With Autobutler, you can obtain quotes on having the brakes replaced on your Citroën.
We have calculated the average price for brake jobs on Citroën among all the garages associated with Autobutler:
| Compare and save* | You save on average* | |
|---|---|---|
| £97 | 26% | |
| Save on average* | ||
| £97 / 26% |
You should be aware that this price covers all submitted quotes to all Citroën models, so the price may differ from the quotes that you receive.
On Autobutler, all the garages provide a detailed description on the scope of the task. You can always rest assured that you will not be surprised when you receive your bill from the garage.
Why do the brakes squeal?
If the brakes on your Citroën make a squealing sound when braking, it is a sign that the brake pads are worn out and should be replaced.
Many cars also have a brake wear indicator that either lights up on the dashboard when it is time to have the brakes replaced or just beginning to squeal when braking.
However, squealing brakes are not necessarily a sign that they are worn down. Brakes can also squeak or squeal a bit, because the car has been stationary and a little rust has formed on the discs.
If there is surface rust on either the pads or discs, it will be worn off when you engage the brake pedal for the first few times.
A third explanation for why the brakes squeal is that the original brake pads may be made of a material that in some cases may squeal slightly when braking.
Often the noise disappears when the brakes are used a little, but unfortunately it can also happen that you as a car owner must live with the annoying squealing sound for quite some time and perhaps even until the next brake change.
If the squealing sound suddenly arises, it is recommended that you visit a garage and get your brakes inspected.
In some cases, the squealing sound is simply due to that dirt has accumulated in the braking system, and a cleaning, lubrication and adjustment can be enough so you can continue driving without the squealing sound.
Brakes - have the garage inspect them
Every time your Citroën is being serviced, the mechanic conducts a visual inspection of the car's brakes. But this is just a visual inspection, designed to check how much the brakes have been worn since the last servicing.
When the mechanic compares this with how the car reacts when braking, he can quickly determine whether the brakes need replacing.
Since it is only a visual inspection, it is important that you are aware of whether the car's braking system suddenly reacts differently than normal.
Make sure that safety is in order
Many motorists drive with brakes that do not work 100% as they should, and there are very few who realize that worn brakes and the lack of brake fluid can be a dangerous combination.
A braking system that is not 100% effective means that the car has a longer braking distance, and the brake is likely to fail during emergency braking.
Often this is discovered once things go wrong. The brakes do not squeal and the actual braking at normal speed does not seem alarming.
Make sure to have the brakes on your Citroën inspected at least once a year. The location of the brakes makes them highly vulnerable to dirt, snow and road salt, and the UK weather is generally hard on the car's braking system.
Older vehicles should obviously be inspected more frequently than brand new models.
Ask your mechanic for advice
Ask the mechanic to check the thickness of the pads, see if there is rust on the pads or discs and if the braking system is missing any brake fluid. If a lot of fluid is missing in the system, the mechanic should also check that there are no leaks anywhere.
Finally, the mechanic should also check the brake caliper and ensure the rubber cap that protects the piston against the entry of dirt and water, is sealed completely and not cracked.
If the rubber cap is not sealed, and dirt penetrates the system, you risk that the brakes are not released properly and therefore begin to hang and become worn unevenly.
The brakes on your Citroën – 5 things you should be aware of
• The car sways back and forth when you brake regularly. This is a sign that the brake pads are worn unevenly.
• The brakes make noise when you turn. This suggests that the caliper does not sit perfectly in relation to the brake disc.
• The brakes are worn when you need to step harder on the brake pedal than normal in order to get the same effect and on the whole to activate the brakes.
• If you can press the brake pedal fully, it is probably because the system needs brake fluid.
• If there is condensation in the brake fluid, the effect of the brake fluid is reduced, and the car will brake more poorly than normal. This can have serious consequences during emergency braking.
