If your brakes squeal, grind, pull to one side, vibrate or feel soft, get them checked promptly. GVI Service Centre in Penrose inspects the whole braking system, quotes before work starts, and replaces pads, discs, calipers, brake fluid and handbrake parts for every make, including EVs and hybrids.
Brakes are the most important safety system on your vehicle, and they wear out and age in ways that are easy to miss until they get loud. We inspect and repair brakes on every make, from everyday hatchbacks to heavy EVs, and we tell you plainly what is worn, what is not, and what can wait.
Signs your brakes need attention
- Squealing or squeaking when you brake: worn pads, glazed pads, or surface rust on the discs.
- Grinding: pads worn through to the metal. Stop driving it and book in; discs get damaged quickly.
- Vibration through the pedal or steering wheel: warped or uneven discs.
- Pulling to one side when braking: a sticking caliper or uneven pad wear.
- A soft or spongy pedal, or a pedal that travels further than it used to: air or moisture in the fluid, or a leak.
- A brake or ABS warning light on the dashboard.
- A handbrake that does not hold, or a burning smell after driving.
What we inspect and repair
- Brake pads and shoes, discs and drums, measured against the minimum thickness
- Calipers and slide pins, which seize when they are not cleaned and lubricated
- Brake hoses and lines, checked for leaks, cracking and corrosion
- Brake fluid, tested and replaced when it is due
- Handbrake cables and adjustment
- ABS and brake warning lights, scanned and diagnosed
You choose between genuine and quality aftermarket parts, and we quote the job before we start.
Brake fluid ages even when the brakes do not
Brake fluid absorbs moisture from the air over time. Water in the fluid lowers its boiling point and corrodes brake components from the inside, so it is replaced on a schedule rather than only when something goes wrong. Many manufacturers recommend about every two years, so check your handbook. We test the fluid at every service.
EV and hybrid brakes: the problem is not wear
Electric and hybrid vehicles slow down mainly through regenerative braking, which means the friction brakes do very little work. That sounds good, but the discs and calipers can corrode and the pads can stick simply because they are rarely used. Seized calipers and rusty discs are a common reason for these vehicles to fail a WOF.
The fix is usually a brake service rather than new parts: strip, clean, free off and lubricate the calipers and slide pins, then machine or replace only what is actually worn. If your EV has squeaky brakes, that is often the cause too. See our EV and hybrid servicing page.
Brakes and your WOF
Brake performance, leaks and wear are all tested at a WOF. If your inspection is coming up, we can check the brakes first and tell you what is needed, or do the brake work and the WOF in the same visit.
Frequently asked questions
How long do brake pads last?
There is no single answer. Pad life depends on the vehicle's weight, your driving style, how much of your driving is stop-start, and the pad material. The only reliable way to know is to have them measured, which we do at every service and WOF.
Is it safe to drive with grinding brakes?
No. Grinding usually means the pads have worn away and metal is rubbing on the disc, which reduces stopping power and ruins the disc quickly. Book in as soon as you can and avoid driving it further than necessary.
Why do my brakes squeak?
Common causes are worn pads, glazed pads, surface rust on discs after the car has sat, or dry slide pins. On EVs and hybrids it is often corrosion from light use. A clean and lubricate often fixes it, but we inspect first so we do not hide a real problem.
Do electric cars need brake work less often?
Their pads often last longer because regenerative braking does most of the slowing, but the brakes still need servicing. Corrosion and seized calipers are the typical problems, so they benefit from a regular clean and lubrication.
How much do brake repairs cost?
It depends on the vehicle and what is worn, so we inspect first and give you a quote before any work starts. Call 09 579 6083 or book online and we will get it on the hoist.