To think this should be done for free?

[EpicGem]

The front driver's side brakes on my car were replaced last August at Halfords (I know, not the best choice, but they offer a payment plan and I had a nagging feeling it was going to be expensive).
I'm hearing a squeaking noise while driving from the same area and have that sinking feeling that the pads have already worn down. I know it's not my driving as, when the brakes have previously been done at the manufacturer dealership, they've lasted a number of years and, I'd expect it to be all of them, rather than just one.
Now, I've been through the emails and, they there's a 12 month guarantee on all parts they fit.
WIBU to expect that Halfords should sort this out for free?
Or am I deluding myself and going to be told it's my driving to blame for one of 4 brakes continuously needing work?

If it's within warranty, and faulty (or depending on your warranty terms, not fit for purpose) then yes it should be replaced for free. Pads shouldn't wear down in 7 months! That'd be some driving if they did. Definitely take it in to be checked!

Halfords told me that they give a life time guarantee (well as long as you own the car) on discs and pads, so therefore they should be replacing, or sorting them out free of charge.

YANBU to expect it for free, but Halfords won't do it. They're rip off merchants in MY experience. Like Kwik Fit. Do substandard work and then want paying again when it goes wrong/bad, whilst blaming the driver.

We had 2 headlight bulbs fitted by them circa 2017, and they both blew out within 3-4 months. They can't have been fitted properly, but they said we must have kept leaving the lights on. (We didn't!) We said,' well surely they're guaranteed?' The man said 'no. No guarantee!'

We left it and went to a local garage. Charged 3 times LESS, and the 2 lights/bulbs were still working when we sold the car 2 years later!

www.halfords.com/car-servicing/brakes4life/brakes4life.html

They should be guaranteed for life.

Is the squeaking noise constant or only when you apply the brakes? Some noise is normal as the new pads wear in.

Will call Halfords in the morning. I wouldn't mind, but the MOT was in November and the brakes didn't even come up as an advisory. The pads apparently are free for life, but not the discs. However, discs shouldn't be knackered after 7 months.

Go to a local garage and get them checked. Just because they're squeaking, doesn't mean they've worn down.

@MissConductUS the squeaking is not under braking. It's while I'm driving intermittently. Very similar to what alerted me to the issue last year, but not knowing what it was, I left it until I was getting a crunching sound while braking. That was an expensive mistake. I learned my lesson to not ignore squeaking.

My breaks were making noises. Went to a company I usually use. They looked at them have them a clean and didn't charge me.

@EpicGem, it sounds like you damaged the rotors. That is an expensive repair. If you hear the noise when you are not applying the brakes it's unlikely to be related to them. If you don't trust the first shop find an independent garage recommended to you by friends and ask them to investigate the noise.

@MissConductUS Given the discs were also replaced in August, they shouldn't be damaged as I haven't done anything that would cause damage to them. I may ask the dealership for the manufacturer to have a look at the brakes, though their costs are going to be potentially beyond my budget right now.

Could it be a ceased calliper?

Go to an independent garage. Ask them to check the noise. Dont mention the work you've had done. See what they come up with.

@Readyforspring Hopefully not callipers as they were done. As I said, not getting the intermittent squeak checked out before the crunching during braking started was an expensive mistake. Needed new pads, disc, calliper had broken, brake fluid had drained... Yeah, not one of my better ideas to just "ignore it and hope it goes away."
I'll speak with the dealership in the morning and see if they can squeeze me in for a diagnosis.

How did u get on?

I had something replaced on my car by Halfords and the quality was appalling. It lasted literally a few days, and when I went back they said they would replace it free of charge, and with a branded name one rather than their own brand.

It's the same with a lot of things these days, the quality of manufacture has gone totally down the drain and aren't fit for purpose. It does tend to be the own brand ones too. Not entirely their fault, as the product has been supplied to them by the manufacturer, probably cutting every corner they can in order to maximise profits.

Go back and complain. They should replace it free of charge. And if they say it is worn, then there must be a quality issue, it should have lasted way longer.

Goods should be fit for purpose and last a reasonable amount of time.

You're less likely to get an honest response from the dealership - they're there to make money. Go to an independent garage and ask for a diagnosis, they won't do any work without the go ahead from you and are more likely to offer maintenance advice rather than telling you it all needs replacing. Having worked in the industry I've seen loads of customers who book their car in for replacement parts after being told by the dealership that they need all new but once the mechanic has investigated it's been a clean or repair. The main dealerships are not more reliable than the independent garages, their mechanics are usually less skilled and experienced.

They'll tell you brakes are wear and tear.

My local garage did my front and rear pads and disks for about £60. Mechanics are definitely something where you should go to independent businesses

You're driving must be awful if you're going through pads and discs in less than a year. Jesus

Brakes are wear and tear and not warranty

If fitted incorrectly then that's different although I would have expected something fitted in august incorrectly to come to light a lot sooner

Give them a call and see what they say. I've avoided Halfords after our local one in previous location which had been excellent. went rapidly down hill after they removed a manager, then got ripped off by an independent local one in our new location who fitted the wrong part and had awful communication. Tried Halfords here as convenient and they were absolutely brilliant!

My local garage did my front and rear pads and disks for about £60.

I think you’re mistaken there, £60 wouldn’t even cover the labour for front and rear pads and discs.

@Shade17

My local garage did my front and rear pads and disks for about £60.

I think you’re mistaken there, £60 wouldn’t even cover the labour for front and rear pads and discs.

I'm not mistaken - I know how much it cost...

How would it not cover the labour? That's the point of being self-employed - you charge what you want for your time

I'm not mistaken - I know how much it cost...

How would it not cover the labour? That's the point of being self-employed - you charge what you want for your time

Even the cheapest independent garage will charge £50/hr labour. Discs and pads all round are probably 1-2hrs and the parts will be a minimum of £150 but probably significantly more depending on the car.

@Shade17 you're talking nonsense. The max they're allowed to charge for an MOT is £55 and they can take an hour. My garage charges £33. How does that fit in with your minimum of £50 an hour?

@girlmom21 what are you talking about? Garage labour charges have nothing to do with MOT costs. My MOT costs £35, the garage’s labour rate is £55+VAT. 8 MOTs a day with clean passes will clearly be less profitable than 8hrs of repairs BUT many of the cars tested will generate repair work and so it’s worth it to the garage.