OK so I tried to take a look at the car, and my knowledge of the mechanics is poor, at best.

I got my wife to sit in the car and pull handbrake push footbrake in a few times etc, and I could see no signs of movement in either side of the pads (on either wheel)

I have to admit I have no clue what I am looking at.

With no confidence in my ability to diagnose whether it is handbrake related or not, and I do not fancy driving the car - I will get it recovered to a garage and go from there.

Bracing myself for a new disk/pad/caliper though immediately :(

Follow up: -

I went to the garage that did the brake pads and they have no recovery service.

To be honest, I won't ever have them touch my car ever again, so it has been booked in with a main dealer. I will get recovery to the dealer and let them sort it out. I don't care about the cost, I just want this fixed by a reputable garage. Main dealer all the way.

Initially I was going to change the pads myself - I wish I had now. Chalking this one up to experience.

Final follow up...

Got the car back to Skoda - they replaced the pads, disks and the caliper affected. (so I now have brand new rear disks + pads and one new caliper) They say the garage may not have wound the pad back on properly, but couldn't be 100% sure. Oh yeah, they flushed the brake fluid too.

I can't be doing with the worry of not being able to drive the car so £400 later my car is now on new brakes, and I am happy again.

Edited 1 October, 201213 yr by g_tee

Have you got photos you can post to show us the before and after?

I'm afraid not, but it was a uninterupted layer of crud all over the surface, and brake cleaner alone didn't suffice.

It's a case of brake cleaner before you start cleaning, then using a brass brush on the surfaces until they're looking clean. Take care to avoid the seals and rubber. Then a good clean with brake cleaner and once you're happy put some brake lube or copper slip and work it over the sliding surfaces.

Hi, I've had a similar experience. Out of interest did the wheel bearing wear out due to boiling of grease caused by overeheating of brake disk?

Solution. Right rear caliper was at fault. Mpg increased 8 mpg for same journey. Brake disc is running at same temp as rear left. I've changed rear left also as it looked worse than other caliper, ie rubber looked shot.

Anyone know if wheel bearing might have been damaged? There is on play on wheel or grittiNess.

It's possible. i'd take the car to a garage that you trust for a second opinion.