# My car is making a noise

> Source: https://motorservicing.co/car-making-a-noise/  
> Provider: Motor Servicing (Fuel Fixer Ltd), mobile car servicing across the United Kingdom.  
> Contact: 0333 366 1081 · Updated: 2026-07-31

**A car making a noise tells you a lot from when it happens. Squealing on braking usually means worn pads or a wear indicator. Grinding on braking means the pads are gone and the discs are being damaged, so stop driving. Knocking over bumps points at suspension bushes or drop links. A hum that changes with speed is often a wheel bearing.**

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic health check | From £150 + VAT |
| Stop driving if | Grinding brakes, or a noise with a warning light |
| Where | Your driveway, home or work |
| Not covered | Roadside recovery |

## What to do

1. **Note when it happens** — Braking, turning, over bumps, or with speed. That single detail narrows it enormously.
2. **Decide whether to keep driving** — Grinding brakes and anything accompanied by a warning light mean stop.
3. **Book an inspection at your address** — Most of these are identifiable on your driveway without a ramp.

## Car making a noise: what each sound means

Noise | When | Usually | 

High squeal | Braking | Worn pads or a wear indicator | 

Harsh grinding | Braking | Pads gone, discs being damaged. Stop driving. | 

Knock or clonk | Over bumps | Drop links, bushes or a top mount | 

Hum that rises with speed | Driving | Wheel bearing | 

Click or clack | Turning at low speed | CV joint | 

Squeal on start-up | Cold start | Auxiliary belt or tensioner | 

Rattle underneath | Idle or over bumps | Heat shield or exhaust mounting |

## When to stop driving

Grinding under braking, any noise accompanied by a warning light, a new noise with a change in steering feel, or a noise that appeared after hitting something. Those combinations mean something is being damaged or is about to fail, and continuing turns a small bill into a large one.

## Questions

**Why is my car squealing when I brake?**  
Usually worn brake pads, or the wear indicator doing its job. If it turns to grinding, the pads are gone and the discs are being damaged.

**Can you find a noise without a ramp?**  
Most of them, yes. Brakes, suspension joints, bearings and belts are all identifiable on a driveway. Anything needing a lift gets referred on honestly.

**Is a knocking noise dangerous?**  
It depends what is knocking. Suspension knocks are usually not immediately dangerous but get worse; anything affecting steering feel should be looked at straight away.


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_Prices are starting prices in GBP excluding VAT and cover travel to your address. Content may be quoted with attribution to Motor Servicing and a link to https://motorservicing.co._