Cars make a lot of sounds over their lifetime.

Some are completely normal. Others are your car’s way of telling you something is wrong. The tricky part is knowing which is which.

Here is a guide to the noises we get asked about most often.

Squealing or squeaking when you brake

This is almost always the brake pad wear indicator. It is a small metal tab built into the pad that makes contact with the disc when the pad gets low. It is designed to make that noise. If you are hearing it regularly, get your brakes checked soon.

A squealing noise that happens all the time, not just under braking, can point to a worn belt or a pulley issue.

Grinding when braking

Grinding under braking is more urgent than squealing. It usually means the brake pad has worn down completely and metal is contacting metal. This damages the disc and reduces your braking performance. Book it in without delay.

Knocking or clunking from underneath

A clunking noise over bumps or when turning is often related to the suspension. Worn bushes, ball joints or drop links are common culprits. These are worth investigating promptly because suspension issues affect how your car handles, particularly in an emergency stop.

Rumbling or humming at speed

A low rumble or hum that gets louder as you speed up is often a wheel bearing. The noise usually changes when you gently steer left or right at speed. Wheel bearings do not fix themselves and the noise will get worse over time.

Clicking when turning

A clicking or ticking noise when you turn, particularly at low speed, is a classic sign of a worn CV joint. On front-wheel drive cars, the CV joints take a lot of strain. They can last a long time, but once they start clicking, replacement is usually the outcome.

Rattling from the exhaust

A rattle that seems to come from under the car, especially at low revs or when idling, is often a loose heat shield or a deteriorating exhaust. Heat shields can sometimes be secured without replacing the exhaust, so it is worth having it looked at before assuming the worst.

Engine ticking at startup

A brief ticking noise when you first start the engine is often nothing to worry about. Oil takes a moment to circulate after the engine has been sitting. If the ticking continues for more than a minute or appears at higher revs, it is worth checking your oil level and having the engine looked at.

Not sure what you’re hearing?

Describing a noise to a mechanic is not always easy, and that is fine. At MotorSector in Streatham, we can carry out a diagnostic check and a visual inspection to identify what is going on. If we need to hear the noise in person, bring the car in and take one of the team out for a quick drive.

We will tell you what we find and what it means before any work starts.

Book online at motorsector.com or call us on 0203 981 1781.