New Zealand's #1 mobile mechanic
Pay in 4, with Afterpay
12 month, 10,000km warranty
Affordable, upfront pricing
New Zealand's #1 mobile mechanic
Pay in 4, with Afterpay
12 month, 10,000km warranty
Affordable, upfront pricing
Brake pedal is spongy or soft assessment
made easy

Enter your cars details to request an estimate for your repair. 🔧

Don’t know your rego? Select by make / model here.
New Zealand's #1 mobile mechanic
Pay in 4, with Afterpay
12 month, 10,000km warranty
Affordable, upfront pricing
New Zealand's #1 mobile mechanic
Pay in 4, with Afterpay
12 month, 10,000km warranty
Affordable, upfront pricing

Brake pedal is spongy or soft assessment made easy

Enter your cars details to request an estimate for your repair 🔧

Don’t know your rego? Select by make / model here.

Why book with us?

Loved by thousands

All our work comes with a 12 month, 10,000km parts and workmanship guarantee.

Upfront, fixed pricing

No "from..." pricing here. We honor our prices, and our quotes don't change unless the job does.

Peace of mind maintenance

We make it easy so you can get on with your day. Car maintenance at home, work or at the golf club.

Tell me about my Brake pedal is spongy or soft assessment

If your brake pedal feels soft, spongy, or sinks further than usual when pressed, it indicates a problem in the hydraulic braking system. A spongy brake pedal reduces braking efficiency and is a serious safety concern that should be addressed immediately.

What does it mean if the brake pedal feels spongy?

A spongy or soft brake pedal usually means air or moisture has entered the brake lines, preventing proper hydraulic pressure from building. It can also point to worn components, leaking fluid, or contamination within the system.

Common causes of a soft brake pedal

  • Air trapped in the brake lines
  • Leaking brake fluid from hoses, calipers, or master cylinder
  • Old or contaminated brake fluid
  • Worn brake pads or shoes
  • Faulty brake master cylinder
  • Improperly bled brakes after servicing

Why do you need to fix this problem quickly?

A soft or spongy pedal makes it harder to stop the vehicle and greatly increases stopping distances. Left unresolved, it can lead to complete brake failure. Because brakes are the most important safety feature on your car, this issue should be addressed immediately.

How do you know when to get it checked?

Signs include:

  • Brake pedal feels soft or sinks too easily
  • Pedal travels much further than usual before the brakes engage
  • Reduced stopping power or longer stopping distances
  • Brake warning light illuminated on the dashboard
  • Brake fluid level dropping in the reservoir

What happens during an assessment?

A mechanic will:

  1. Inspect the brake fluid level and condition
  2. Check for leaks in brake hoses, lines, calipers, or the master cylinder
  3. Bleed the brake system to remove trapped air
  4. Test the brake master cylinder for proper pressure
  5. Replace worn or faulty components as needed
  6. Road test the vehicle to confirm braking performance

How much does it cost to fix?

Costs vary depending on the cause. A simple brake bleed may cost $100–$200, while replacing worn pads or hoses can cost $200–$500. A faulty master cylinder or major leak repair may cost $400–$900+.

Is it unsafe to drive with a spongy brake pedal?

Yes. A soft or spongy pedal means your braking system is not working properly, which puts you at high risk of brake failure. The vehicle should not be driven until the problem is repaired.

Need help finding the right service or repair?

Our experts can help. Call or email at hello@turnersservice.co.nz.

☎️ 0800 768 000
You can contact us between 8am & 5pm, Mon to Fri.

Frequently Asked Questions 🧐

Got car questions? We got answers.

We've developed a Help section with information on hundreds of repairs, common symptoms and general car knowledge.

How do online bookings work for car servicing & basic repairs?

Once you fill out your details, you’ll be shown the ‘search results’ which displays instant fixed-price quotes from local service providers that can be booked online.

Yes. Once you have entered in your vehicle details and location, you’ll be able to browse through available repair tasks or inspections that you would like a quote for.

Yes. For the work included in the quote, the price you’re quoted is the final price you’ll pay.

If you’ve booked with a workshop, the service provider will usually require your vehicle for the entire day due to scheduling. If you’ve booked with a mobile provider, you will only be without your vehicle for the time it takes to complete the job.

Booking your car service or repair through Turners Service & Repairs gives you access to these convenient payment options:

1. Pay upfront and online using your credit or debit card or PayPal
2. Flexible payment options with Afterpay
3. In some instances, you can choose to pay the mechanic when the service or repairs have been completed.

Yes, we send through a comprehensive report and invoice / receipt once the booking is completed. If you have any questions please reach out via 0800 768 000.