Car making a noise · Autobedrijf Willemsbrug Rotterdam

Car making a noise? We find where it comes from

Is your car making a noise while you drive? Humming, squealing, clicking, clunking or rattling often tells us a lot about the cause. We take the car for a test drive, find where the noise comes from and tell you what is needed. You hear the price in advance.

4.8 / 5 from 235 reviews | All makes | Price agreed in advance

The short answer

If your car is making a noise, the moment you hear it often says a lot about the cause. Humming at speed usually points to a wheel bearing, squealing when braking to the brake pads, clicking in a bend to a driveshaft and clunking over speed bumps to the suspension. Autobedrijf Willemsbrug at Boterdiep 11 in Rotterdam-IJsselmonde finds the source with a test drive and a check on the lift. For a repair you hear the price in advance and we only start once you agree.

Jump to: which noise · causes and costs · frequently asked questions · directions

Which noise do you hear?

The type of noise and the moment you hear it already say a lot. Do you recognise one of these noises?

  • Humming or droning that gets louder with speed
  • Squealing or scraping when braking
  • Squealing or whining when starting
  • Clicking in a bend when pulling away
  • Clunking or knocking over speed bumps and potholes
  • Rattling under the car or a louder exhaust

Do you hear a grinding noise only while starting? Then the starter motor may be the cause. Read more about replacing the starter motor. Do you hear metal scraping when braking, is the noise getting worse quickly, or do you also feel something in the steering or brakes? Then drive no further than you need to and have the car checked. Read what to do in case of a breakdown.

How to find where the noise comes from

Note when you hear the noise: at speed, when braking, in a bend, over speed bumps, when starting or when standing still. That already says a lot about the cause.

Note where it comes from as well: front or rear, left or right. Does the humming get louder in a long bend to the left or to the right? Tell us. That helps us find the faulty wheel bearing sooner. If you can, record the noise on your phone.

A noise is often hard to hear in the workshop. That is why we first take a test drive and then look under the car.

What we do when your car makes a noise

  • Take a test drive, together with you if you like
  • Check the wheel bearings and the suspension for play
  • Inspect the brakes, the brake pads and the brake discs
  • Check the driveshafts and the rubber boots
  • Inspect the exhaust and the heat shields
  • Check the belts and the belt tensioner

Extra work is only done with your approval.

Car making a noise: which noise, which cause

This table shows which noise often goes with which cause. We only know what is really wrong after a test drive and a check.

Which noise, what it often is and what we do
Which noise? Often the cause What we do
Humming or droning that gets louder the faster you drive A worn wheel bearing Check and replace the wheel bearing
High-pitched squealing when braking Often the wear indicator on the brake pads Check the brakes. Read more about brakes
Metal scraping or grinding when braking Brake pads that are completely worn Have it checked as soon as you can
Squealing or whining when starting or with the air con on A slack or worn belt Check the belt and belt tensioner. Read more about the alternator and the belt
Clicking in a bend when pulling away A worn CV joint on the driveshaft Check the driveshafts and boots
Clunking or knocking over speed bumps and potholes Wishbone bushes, anti-roll bar links, track rod ends or shock absorbers Check the suspension. Read more about shock absorbers
Rattling under the car or a louder exhaust A loose or leaking exhaust or a loose heat shield Check the exhaust. Read more about the exhaust
Ticking from the engine that speeds up with the revs For example too little oil or wear inside the engine Check the oil level and have the engine inspected. Read more about the oil warning light (in Dutch)
Hissing under the bonnet A leak in the cooling system or a hose leaking air Do not open the coolant cap when the engine is hot, and keep an eye on the temperature gauge. Read more about the cooling system
Noise when the air con is on The air con compressor, its clutch or the fan Read more about air con that makes a noise (in Dutch)

Car humming at speed: the wheel bearing

According to the ANWB, you can recognise a worn wheel bearing by a droning or humming noise that gets louder the faster you drive. Play in the wheel and vibration in the steering wheel can also point to it. According to the ANWB, a wheel bearing costs on average € 150 to € 500 per bearing, including labour. This is a guide and not a quote from us.

Squealing brakes

According to the ANWB, worn brake pads are the most common cause of squealing brakes. Do not wait too long, because worn brake pads can damage the brake discs. Dirt, rust after rain or after the car has been standing, and new brake pads that still need to bed in can also squeal. Read more about brakes.

We work on all makes and models, including hybrid and electric cars. You are also welcome with a van or motorhome up to 3,500 kg. Our mechanics hold the GMTO certificate (the Dutch qualification for working on high-voltage systems) for work on hybrid and electric cars. Have wear on the brakes and suspension checked in good time, for example at your next service.

Why we start with a test drive

A noise can come from many parts. Replacing parts by guesswork may not solve the problem. That is why we first drive your car and then look under it. After that you hear what is wrong, what it costs and how long it takes.

Our repairs come with a warranty. With the quote you hear which warranty applies. Is the engine hesitating or is a warning light on? Then read more about a car that hesitates or stalls and about the engine warning light. Is the car vibrating too? Then read more about a steering wheel that vibrates.

Frequently asked questions about a car making a noise

No need to click. All the answers are already open below.

My car is making a strange noise. What could it be?

That depends on the type of noise and when you hear it. Humming at speed often points to a wheel bearing, squealing when braking to the brake pads, clicking in a bend to a driveshaft and clunking over speed bumps to the suspension. See the table on this page. We take a test drive and find where the noise comes from.

I hear a humming or droning noise at speed. What is it?

According to the ANWB, a droning or humming noise that gets louder the faster you drive often points to a worn wheel bearing. Other signs are play in the wheel, vibration in the steering wheel and uneven tyre wear. Sometimes the ABS warning light comes on as well. Note: unevenly worn tyres can also hum. We check this on a test drive. According to the ANWB, a wheel bearing costs on average € 150 to € 500 per bearing, including labour. This is a guide and not a quote from us.

My brakes squeal. How serious is that?

That depends on the cause. According to the ANWB, worn brake pads are the most common cause. Many brake pads have a metal strip that starts to squeal when they are nearly worn out. Dirt, rust after rain or after the car has been standing, and new brake pads that still need to bed in can also squeal. If you hear metal scraping or grinding, the brake pads may be completely worn. Have the brakes checked as soon as you can. If the squealing continues or the brakes feel different, have them checked too. Read more about brakes.

My car squeals when I start it. What causes that?

A squealing or whining noise when starting, in the cold or when the air con comes on often comes from a slack or worn belt. Among other things, that belt drives the alternator. Have it checked, because with a broken belt the alternator stops charging. Read more about the battery warning light and the alternator.

I hear a clicking noise in bends. What is it?

That often points to a worn CV joint on the driveshaft. On front-wheel drive cars it sits at the front wheels. If the rubber boot around it is torn, dirt gets in and the joint wears faster. Have it checked. A worn CV joint can also cause vibration when pulling away.

I hear a clunk over a speed bump. How serious is that?

A clunk or knock over speed bumps often comes from worn wishbone bushes, anti-roll bar links, track rod ends or shock absorbers. Play in the suspension can make the steering and road holding worse. So have it checked. Read more about shock absorbers.

When can I keep driving with a strange noise?

That depends on the noise. Do you hear scraping when braking, is the noise getting worse quickly, or do you also feel something in the steering or brakes? Then drive no further than you need to and have the car checked. If in doubt, stop in a safe place and call your breakdown service. Read more about breakdowns.

What does it cost to have a noise investigated?

That depends on how long the search takes. Often we can already hear where it comes from on a test drive. When you make the appointment, you hear what to expect. For a repair you first get a quote, and we only start once you agree. Our repairs come with a warranty. With the quote you hear which warranty applies.

Noise investigation in Rotterdam-IJsselmonde

You will find us at Boterdiep 11 (3077 AW) in Rotterdam-IJsselmonde, close to Stadion Feijenoord (De Kuip) and exit 24 Rotterdam-Feijenoord on the A16. The A15 is five minutes’ drive away. There is free parking outside if there is space. The Stadion Feijenoord tram stop (line 3) is close by.

We are also easy to reach from Barendrecht, Ridderkerk, Capelle aan den IJssel, Krimpen aan den IJssel, Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht and Zwijndrecht. Appointments are made by phone.

Plan your route to Boterdiep 11 or see our contact page.

Opening hours
Monday to Friday: 8.00 to 17.30
Saturday: 9.00 to 15.00
Sunday: closed
We are closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

Is your car making a noise?

Call us during opening hours with your registration number. You drop the car off Monday to Friday between 8.00 and 8.30 am, or on Saturday at 9.00 am. You will hear the cost in advance and we only start once you agree.

Our score: 4.8 / 5 from 235 reviews. Read what our customers say (in Dutch).

See also our pages about a steering wheel that vibrates, brakes, the exhaust, shock absorbers, the battery warning light and the alternator, car diagnostics (in Dutch) and breakdowns.

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