Feel like bursting out crying!

[SlimmingMumOf1]

Nothing could ever get any worse! We've had so many issues already in our lives regarding money and other problems, and now my car has decided to start playing up. It makes a rattling noise and the brake light has illuminated. The brake fluid is fine, handbrake is fully depressed, nothing else I can think of other than faulty brake pads or something else! No way am I driving it with brake light on and with my little one in the car with me as well.

This means I am not able to go work as I work over 10 miles away and the bus would take just under 2 hours to reach there, plus I got my DS who goes childminders 8 miles further out so it means I would have to get him on a bus which is impossible. Taxi is costing £30 each way, I am on minimum wage so my wages wouldn't even cover getting a taxi.

I am not sure what I should tell the manager to be honest?! They're going to be left short staffed, I feel so guilty as it is for leaving them in the shit but if my car happens to need scrapping as it is quite old with almost 101k on the clock, I don't know what I'm going to do as I don't even have a penny to my name to buy another one at the moment

Nobody can drop us off, my DH works far away and starts early in the morning and don't come back until late

It sounds like it might be something quite minor, like a problem with the brake light itself? I'm not an expert at all but in my experience sometimes things like this are easy to fix. In your shoes I'd pop into Kwik Fit, be a tiny bit flirty (I know, it's terrible, but I would) and ask if they could have a quick look for you, explain you have no money but just need to know if it could be easily fixed. They might well fix it for nothing if it's just a connection or something or you might find that it will only cost a bit.

Yes it may be easily fixed. Can you take annual leave tomorrow and get it sorted?

Get the car looked at as soon as you can. Only then do you know what you're up against.

Tell your boss exactly what's happened and that you need to take annual leave at short notice. They will be short staffed, s/he might be pissed at you.

When you get the bill you can plan. Do you have a credit card or could you get one?

When is payday? You could ask your employer for an advance in your salary for this month. I've worked for large and small employers that have all been willing to do this (I'm a line manager). Most good line managers that are short staffed will move mountains to get you back in. Some employers will consider a loan with repayments split over a few months pay.

I agree with getting it seen. We have a Halfords Autocentre locally that you can ring and they'll book you in the same day.

Have you tried googling it or looking in your handbook

Avoid the chains, honestly, they'll recommend replacing parts which could be tweaked and fixed. As they're not essentially mechanics they're rarely trained in diagnostics particularly on older cars and will most likely not have seen many. Go to an independent garage, they will help you out even if it's a temporary fix get the car on the road until you decide what to do. Chains won't do that, it has to leave them in perfect condition hence replacing parts.

Ring your boss, explain the situation. Please don't feel guilty, the chances are you'll be the one covering soon as this sort of thing happens to everyone at some point.

When did you last check the oil & water?

Is the rattling noise when you put your foot on the brake? If so it’s probably just brake pads, although it’s more of a grinding than a rattling. Depending on your car it won’t cost that much to get fixed, I usually pay about £70 for new pads. Can someone lend you the money? Steer clear of places like ATS or Halfords as they will rip you off, find a good independent mechanic (google reviews). It’s a quick thing to get sorted, could you find a garage near your work and drop it off, then pick it up after? My brake pads started grinding yesterday so will get mine booked in in a few days, it’s something you need to get done pretty soon before you damage your discs but driving 10 miles won’t hurt. If you’re worried, drive up the road and do an emergency stop to check your brakes are still working ok.

Kwik fit have more than once done a minor repair / tweak for me for nothing. I think it might be part of their policy. Don’t know about Halfords - but if you go to an independent, they might be helpful and fair, or they might not (unless you have one you already know and trust).

Or do you know anyone who’s just good with cars / machines who might be able to investigate?

My partner said it could just be a break pad sensor ( he buys and sells cars ) it could be very very minor very much doubt your breaks are gone when was your last MOT and what we're the advisories ???

Thank you all so much for your replies so far! Very much appreciated. I've calmed down a little bit now. Everything just got on top of me. I won't go Halfords or kwik fit as they've ripped me and my partner off a while back. I've checked the mot I had done in 2017 (mot not due til feb), and advisories said

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)
Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)
Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

But when I had my mot done this year, it passed and the only advisories I had was the McPherson struts have slight movement

My DMs brake warning light came on yesterday when she was meant to have the DCs. Took it to the garage it was just a warning pads would need replacing soon. Most places will have a quick look and tell you the problem no charge. I even had a good experience with kwik fit when they were the only place open one bank holiday. Their costing was lots more than my local mechanics but they diagnosed for free.

Go to work and try and find a cheap garage to check for you when you get chance, if they say there's lots of problems there ripping you of.

Are you sure that's correct? If your MOT isn't due until February then surely you had an MOT in 2018 as they are due every year?

Racoon100 - she had the MOT in 2017 with those advisories, but it passed this year with "the McPherson struts have slight movement" as her advisories

OP said the mot for this year didn’t flag up anything to do with the brakes

sorry yes I didn't see that last bit!

I was in a similar position about two years ago. Found a garage who belonged to this scheme www.goodgaragescheme.com/ The worry i had endured for weeks turned out to be £60 to fix. Looking at a car is free you don't have to say yes to the work being done .