can i claim the dealer

[aid]

got my current MCS from grassicks in perth back in Feb this year and the brakes have started to squeak now i know this can be a sign of needing new brake pads but the car only had 5000 miles on it when i bought it and only has 7000 on it now????

car is and july 06 and is not driven hard the car was mini approved used so if it needs pads i would have thought this would have been spotted before i picked it up and sorted under the approved used plan

i wouldnt have thought i'd have to put pads on after owning the car for 2000 miles or 3 months do i have a case against the dealer to make him put pads on it????

thoughts??????

aid

[Paul]

I doubt it'll need new pads, squeaking brakes isn't a sure sign of this at all (plus there's a brake pad wear indicator that should be a better sign of replacement being required). If they do need replacing I doubt you could make the dealer do anything, but they may do it out of good will.

[aid]

so if its not the pads could it possibly just be the very hot dry weather we have been having recently if so how do i solve it???

cheers paul

[Paul]

Could be a number of things, squeaking new(ish) brakes is not unusual at all, if they squeak all the time then that's more likely a sign of trouble. I would get them checked out if you're not sure, as brakes isn't an area I'd like to gamble on or advise you not to worry about.

Here's a pretty good snippet I found from googling:

There are several causes of squeaky brakes, not all of them mean that you have a problem.


Dirt on the brakes – squeaking is a normal reaction of the brake rotor when the pad is new and just wearing in. The pad material is worn away by the braking action, in the process causing brake dirt. This gets on the rotor, or drum, causing the brakes to squeak. In time this will go away as the brakes wear in together.


Outside forces – such as water or oil, from the road or from another system within the car may get on the brake rotor causing it to slip or squeak when in use. Usually, brakes dry quickly, especially if the problem is from outside the car. If the problem continues, be sure to have your car checked for leaks within the car that can be affecting your brakes.


Brake springs – the braking system is made up of a series of springs and hydraulic pistons. A squeaking noise may be coming from one of several springs. This may or may not indicate a problem since springs squeak by nature anyway. This is one case that would warrant having a professional take a look at.


Warning tab – the brake pads are all equipped with a warning tab. This measures the amount of surface you have left on your brake pad and produces a squeal when the pad becomes worn. This is the most common cause of brake noise. This is your first warning to have your brakes checked and the pads replaced. Under normal driving conditions the noise could go on for some time before you cause real damage, but it is best to take it in at your earliest convenience.


Bad Brakes – sometimes, if you ignore the warning tab, or if your car doesn’t have one for one reason or another, you may hear a noise that is ear shattering every time you apply the brake. The metal to metal squeal is a sure indication that you have brake trouble. If you do nothing, you will loose all braking power and are at risk of having an accident. So, you will need to take your car to a mechanic, and he will most likely tell you that you need new rotors, drums, shoes and pads. This is an expensive proposition, and the only way to remedy the problem is to fix it.


Lastly, you may find that the squeaking noise you hear is not from your brakes at all, even though it only happens when you apply the brake. This could be the springs on your car, your shock absorbers, or your trunk lid. These squeaks are easily fixed. Squeaky springs and shocks can be fixed with a lube job. For your trunk lid, try some good all-purpose grease.


Be sure that you have explored all of the other possibilities before you automatically assume that the squeak or squeal you are hearing is from your brakes. It will save you money in the long run.

[minicabrio]

I had sqeaking brakes at around the same mileage, the dealer cleaned them of dust and debris using a high pressure air gun - which cured it...

Not saying that's what's wrong with yours though, brakes are important, so don't take any chances - best to get them looked at.

[minispaceman]

The head honcho is spot on,

I just thought i'd add that I have the ocassional squeaky brake syndrome, and it's totally normal. Actually I have the squeak more frequently when I press with low-medium force on the pedal... It has the symptom of dust on the disks.

A while ago (car had ~7000km ~4 months old) my car went back to the dealer with another problem and I asked them to check the brakes at the same time - it was A-OK.

Don't worry! Unless of course they are continuously squeaking and squealing, then i'd take the safe option of having them checked out.

Don't assume that the dealer is trying it on or taking the mickey, because when it comes to safe driving they'll take no chances. If there had been the slightest problem with the brakes then they wouldn't have sold you the car!

Just my 2p.

Ben

[aid]

all round very helpful thank you all

ill get it across my local dealer and have it looked at

thanks all