Four million cars being driven on failing brakes

One-in-eight cars in your rear view mirror needs urgent mechanical attention to its brakes. This alarming claim comes after a Kwik-Fit study found that over four million British motorists (12%) are currently experiencing one of the tell-tale signs of a dysfunctional braking system. More than half a million motorists (2%) claim to be witnessing two or more symptoms.

Alarmingly while 15% of these motorists said that they'd only noticed the problem in the last week, 51% of them confessed to driving with the problem for the past month, 17% for the past year, and 9% for even longer.

Despite this, an unbelievable 32% still maintained that they hadn’t had the time to get their brakes checked out. And a further 33% had decided for themselves that the symptom wasn’t concerning enough to warrant a check-up.

But most astonishingly 3% admitted that, even though the brake warning light was on, they’d continued to drive without taking any remedial action.

David White, customer services director at Kwik-Fit commented: “These shocking findings should be enough to make any motorist looking in their rear view mirror question the car behind’s ability to stop in time.”

He continues: “Brakes should be inspected as soon as braking system symptoms are noticed – it’s in all road users’ interests for you to be able to bring your car to a halt at the time of asking.”

Free brake check
Kwik-Fit says any motorists can have their brakes checked regularly, for free at any Kwik-Fit. This preventative approach to brake maintenance can detect braking system defects and to monitor wear and tear - saving motorists time and money as well as maintaining their safety.

Lifetime brake guarantee
To ensure your brakes are always at their best, Kwik-Fit also offers a unique brake lifetime guarantee. Once a motorist has pads or shoes fitted at Kwik-Fit, when they wear out the replacement is absolutely free for as long as they own the car.