A squeal from the brakes can be minor. A harsh grinding noise is more serious.
It often means brake pads are worn through.
Common causes
- ▸Brake pads worn down to the backing plate
- ▸Stone or debris caught between pad and disc
- ▸Heavily corroded discs after the car has stood
- ▸Damaged or seized calipers
Why it is urgent
Metal-on-metal contact damages the discs quickly and reduces braking performance. Driving on worn pads turns a pad replacement into a pad-and-disc job.
Brief grinding after rain
A light grinding or scraping for the first few stops after rain or washing can be surface rust being cleaned off discs. It should disappear quickly.
What to do
Get the brakes inspected as soon as possible. See our brake noises guide.
Other brake warning signs
Grinding rarely comes alone. A brake pedal that feels soft or sinks towards the floor, a car that pulls to one side under braking, vibration through the pedal or steering wheel, or a brake warning light on the dashboard all point to problems in the braking system. Any of these, combined with grinding, is a reason to stop driving and have the car recovered or inspected rather than risk a long journey.
CAUTION: This is general automotive information, not professional mechanical advice. Always follow your vehicle manufacturer’s specifications and service schedule, and have brakes, steering, tyres, and other safety-critical systems inspected by a qualified mechanic.