A grinding noise when braking almost always means the brake pads have worn down past their friction material and metal is now contacting metal, which also means the discs are likely being damaged in the process. A grinding sound when changing gears in a manual points to clutch or gearbox wear, and it's worth getting looked at before it turns into a bigger repair. Either way, grinding is one of the noises worth acting on quickly rather than waiting.
A knocking noise from the engine, especially one that gets faster as you rev, can mean anything from worn engine bearings to a timing issue, and it's not something to drive on for long. A knocking sound from underneath the car when going over bumps usually points to worn suspension components, like bushes, links, or shock absorbers, rather than the engine, and it's a much less urgent (but still worth checking) repair.
A squealing noise when you brake is often just the wear indicator doing its job, a small metal tab designed to squeal on purpose once the pads are getting low, so it's worth booking a check rather than ignoring it. A squeal or chirp from the engine bay when starting or accelerating usually points to a loose or worn drive belt, and a squeal from the wheels while driving (not just braking) can mean a wheel bearing is on its way out.
The general rule with car noises is that new or changing sounds are worth getting checked, even if the car still seems to drive fine, because most of these problems get more expensive the longer they're left. Our car diagnostics team can listen to it, scan it, and tell you exactly what's going on before it turns into something bigger. Call 07-846-2137 or book online.
