Why Are My Brakes Squeaking?

Squeaky brakes might seem like a minor annoyance, but they could be a warning sign that your braking system needs attention.

Learn what causes the squeal when to call in the pros.

Squeaky Brakes: Diagnostics Table

To get straight to the point, here are some of the most common causes of squeaky brakes, with a note on the severity of the issue and recommended actions.

Common Causes of Squeaky Brakes

Worn brake pads

As brake pads wear thin over time, a metal indicator or pad-on-rotor contact can cause a high-pitched squeal when braking.

Moisture and rust buildup

Overnight condensation or damp weather can create a thin layer of rust on the brake rotors, causing a temporary squeak until it burns off.

Dust and road debris

Dust, grit, or road debris lodged between the pad and disc can create a squeaky or grinding sound during braking.

Glazing from aggressive braking

Excessive heat from hard or frequent braking can create a hardened, glassy surface that reduces grip and causes loud squealing.

Sticky or worn callipers

A stuck calliper or wheel cylinder can keep the brake pad pressed against the rotor, causing continuous squeaking or grinding.

New brakes bedding in

Freshly fitted brake pads often squeak temporarily while they embed into the rotor surface — a normal part of the bedding-in process.

Is It Safe to Drive with Squeaky Brakes?

If the squeaking occurs first thing in the morning and it goes away once you start your journey, this should be safe – it is likely caused by moisture from condensation that collects on the rotors.

However, other squeaking noises that occur when you are braking – ones which do not go away – are signs of an issue.

It is very important that you take squeaking brakes seriously and make sure that you have them checked by a mechanic. It could be one of the multiple issues mentioned above, which could lead to poor performance and even an accident.

In a recent Blackcircles.com illegal tyre report, we found that defective brakes caused nearly 40% of road collisions between 2019 and 2023. So do not ignore them.

Always have them checked and fixed or replaced where necessary.

How Regular Servicing Helps Prevent Squeaky Brakes

Making sure that your adhere to a regular car servicing schedule is not just a box ticking exercise for your car’s warranty.

Regular car servicing is very important in maintaining the different components of your vehicle and ensuring that any potential issues are spotted early on. Before they become bigger, more dangerous and more expensive to fix.

By ensuring that you regularly service your car, this helps with the overall maintenance of your vehicle, and the important parts of the car working at an optimised level for as long as possible.

Something that is very important when it comes to passing your  MOT Test.

Squeaky Brakes FAQs

Why do my brakes squeak in the morning?

If your brakes are squeaking only in the morning and the noise goes away after a few minutes into your journey – this is a sign of condensation on the rotors. This is a fairly common occurrence and should not cause too many issues.

Can I use WD-40 on brakes? (Spoiler: No!)

No. Never use a WD-40 on your brakes. This is a lubricant and by it’s very nature will reduce friction. Making your brakes perform extremely poorly. It will most likely lead to an accident as you will not be able to stop the vehicle as expected. Never add WD-40 to your brakes.

What is brake glazing?

Glazing occurs when there is a build-up of heat on the brake components caused by hard or frequent braking. This eventually will lead to the brakes hardening ad which ultimately reduces the levels of grip. It also is a cause of loud squealing