What a brake inspection checks, and the signs not to ignore.
Brakes wear gradually, so the change is easy to miss from the driver's seat. An inspection measures what you can't feel.
By the Aperio service team · Updated 26 September 2026
Five things, measured and photographed.
A technician looks at the parts that stop the car and records what they find, so the next inspection has something to compare against.
- Brake pads: thickness measured at each wheel.
- Rotors: scoring, grooves, rust and uneven wear.
- Calipers and slides: sticking, and pads wearing unevenly.
- Hoses and lines: leaks, cracks and corrosion.
- Brake fluid: level, leaks and signs it is due.
Your report includes the measurements and photos, so you can see the wear for yourself instead of taking someone's word for it.
What your car is telling you.
- Squealing when you brake: many pads have a small wear indicator that squeals when they are getting thin.
- Grinding or growling: the pad may be worn down to metal. Have it checked right away.
- Pulling to one side when you brake: often a sticking caliper or uneven wear.
- Vibration or pulsing in the pedal: often uneven rotors.
- A soft or sinking pedal: possibly air or a leak in the hydraulic system.
- The brake warning light on the dashboard.
If the pedal goes to the floor or the car won't stop normally, don't keep driving it. Park it safely and have it inspected where it is.
Brake fluid ages. Unused brakes corrode.
Brake fluid absorbs moisture from the air over time, which lowers its boiling point and can corrode parts inside the system. Most manufacturers give a replacement interval, often in years; your owner's manual has it.
Electric and hybrid vehicles do much of their slowing with regenerative braking, so the pads can go unused for long stretches. The risk there is less wear than corrosion: pads and rotors that sit can rust or stick, which is why they still need regular inspection.
Some brake jobs need a lift. You still decide.
The inspection happens in the driveway. If it finds work that needs a hoist, an Aperio-approved shop does it: we collect three quotes with parts and labour itemised, you pick one, and we manage the job.
Nothing is replaced at the curb without your say, and work done at the shop lands in the same service history as your driveway visits.
About brakes.
How long do brake pads last?
It varies widely with the vehicle, the pads, and how and where you drive: city traffic and hills wear them faster than highway driving. Measuring them at each inspection tells you where yours are.
Is squealing always a problem?
Not always. Brakes can squeak after rain or on a cold morning and go quiet once they warm up. A squeal that comes back every time you brake, or any grinding, should be inspected.
Are brake inspections included on the plan?
Yes. A brake inspection is part of every visit on the Aperio plan, for gas, diesel, hybrid and electric vehicles. Repairs that need a lift are quoted first, and only if you ask.
More on the visit, and on EVs.
