My mum's mk5 golf is making a really horrible grinding sound when braking lightly at low speeds, which is particularly annoying around town.

Does anybody have any suggestions as to what the cause is?

Also, does anybody know a good mechanic for VWs in the NW?

Thanks

James

brake pads, damp, or a stone maybe

A quick wheel off visual inspection will tell you if it's worn pads or not.

Other than that it sounds like something trapped between pad and disc. Againa visual inspection will tell you if the disc is scored indicating a stone or similar.

Final option, if it's been parked a while in this weather it may be surface corrosion on the discs. In this case take it for a good pasting and "refresh" the discs with some firm braking

On my wife's car, it was flakes of rust from the extreme edge of the disc falling into the gap between disc and pad.