How much does it cost to replace your brake pads?

What are brake pads?

Brake pads are crucial components in your car’s braking system; their purpose is to help your vehicle slow down – and bring it to a stop when you apply the brakes.

Your brake pads press against the brake discs, which turns kinetic energy into heat, bringing the vehicle to a halt.

The importance of properly functioning brake pads

Your vehicle’s safety and performance are inextricably linked to its brake pads. Healthy brake pads help to ensure that the car can slow and stop reliably, which is also crucial for preventing and mitigating road accidents.

When your brake pads become worn, your car’s ability to stop smoothly and safely is compromised, so you should replace them as a matter of urgency. Without reliable front and rear brake pads, your car presents a danger to you and other road users.

Severely worn brake pads will cause your car to fail its MOT. If left unchecked, they may also cause damage to the brake rotor and callipers, leaving you with a heftier repair bill than necessary.

Checking your brake pads regularly will help to prevent excess wear whilst protecting your car’s value and longevity.

Signs that your brake pads need replacing

If you notice any of the following issues, you should take your car to a mechanic, as the brake pads may need replacing:

• Brake system warning light: The brake system warning light symbol is an exclamation mark within a circle, with rounded brackets on each side. The word ‘brake’ may sometimes appear under or next to this symbol. If the brake system warning light stays on whilst driving, take your car to a garage as soon as possible.

• Braking issues: Common issues include less responsive brakes, excessive vibration whilst braking, underpowered braking and increased stopping distances.

• Pulling to one side whilst braking: When the brake pads stick or bind, this can cause the car to pull to one side. However, this issue can also be the result of incorrect wheel alignment, so it’s important to get it checked out by a mechanic.

• ‘Spongy’ brakes: When the brakes are well worn, the braking action may seem ‘spongy’ or uneven, as the brakes cannot hold up well against pressure from the pedal. Replacing the brake pads can provide more grip. However, the mechanic may also recommend replacing other components in the braking system, if they are worn.

• Unusual noises when the brakes are applied: Squeaking, squealing or grinding sounds during braking are indicative of worn brake pads. If you ignore these noises, your car’s braking issues could get worse further down the line.

• Worn or damaged brake pads: Don’t forget to check your brake pads on a regular basis. Look out for thinning pads, uneven wear, or other damage. Identifying wear and damage early on and promptly replacing the brake pads can help you save on repair costs and prolong the lifespan of your motor.

Brake pad replacement costs

If you need to replace both the front and rear sets of brake pads, you’ll typically pay between £210 and £500 for smaller cars, or between £300 and £700 for larger vehicles such as SUVs.

Your costs will be significantly higher if the brake discs also need replacing. If you have a smaller car, this may cost an extra £150 to £200 (and at least £200 more for larger vehicles).

Please note: These figures are merely estimates and will vary depending on factors on such as labour and replacement part costs.

Replacement costs for front and rear brake pads

The average cost to replace front brake pads in the UK ranges from around £105 to £135. Replacement for rear brake pads is slightly cheaper, typically costing between £100 and £130.

Replacing front brake pads is more expensive due to their size, composition and the weight distribution of your car.

The cost of front and rear brake pad (and brake disc) replacement tends to be higher for vehicles with larger engines.

Replacement costs for brake pads and discs by engine size

Average brake pad replacement cost by manufacturer

As you might expect, brake pad replacement costs for premium cars tend to run higher than for standard models. Here’s a quick breakdown of the average costs for some of the most popular car brands on UK roads:

Brake pad replacement cost by location

Your brake pad replacement bill will vary depending on your location. Geographical differences in labour costs and part availability within local automotive markets will influence how much you’ll pay.

To give you a rough guide, here’s a table showing the average brake pad replacement costs in some of the UK’s major cities:

What factors will influence my brake pad repair bill?

• The complexity of the replacement process: If other components besides the brake pads need repairing or replacing, this will increase the labour and parts costs. For instance, the mechanic may recommend replacing the brake discs, rotors or callipers, which could significantly increase your garage bill.

• Front and rear brake pads: The front brake pads cost slightly more to replace than the rear set - and you’ll pay more still if both sets need replacing.

• Your car brand, model and engine size: You can expect to pay more for brake pad replacements for prestigious car brands and models - and cars with larger engines.

• The quality of your replacement parts: Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts fit better than most third-party alternatives. They may also provide superior reliability and more extensive warranties. However, OEM parts are often more expensive. Many experts believe using cheaper aftermarket parts is false economy as they are likely to fail sooner. So, if you go down the aftermarket route, make sure you choose reputable products that match the quality of their OEM counterparts.

• Ceramic vs metallic: On a related note, ceramic brake pads cost more than the standard organic or metallic varieties, as they are harder, wear less, and produce less brake dust.

• Geographic location and local automotive market: As we’ve mentioned, local labour costs and the cost of sourcing parts will also influence your brake pad replacement costs.

Is it worth replacing my brake pads and discs at the same time?

Many automotive experts recommend replacing your brake pads and discs simultaneously. When you replace both, the brakes will be in sync and less likely to vibrate when applied.

Conversely, if you only replace either the brake pads or the brake discs, your braking system may struggle to work in harmony. Your braking is likely to be less efficient and you’ll eventually need to replace the worn parts anyhow. You also run the risk of damaging your braking system by driving with worn brake pads or discs.

Can you save on costs by replacing your brake pads yourself?

Yes, you may be able to save on labour costs by replacing your brake pads yourself. However, you’ll need to purchase a set of good quality brake pads and set aside enough time to complete the work.

Important: You should not attempt this unless you have a good grasp of vehicle mechanics. If you make any mistakes whilst replacing your brake pads, you risk causing expensive damage. Therefore, if you’re not fully confident, we recommend visiting a reputable garage instead.

Tools and safety precautions:

You’ll need the following tools and equipment:

• Replacement brake pads.

• Brake cleaner

• Gloves and eye protection.

• Jack and jack stands.

• Lug wrench.

• C-clamp or brake calliper tool.

• Wrench set.

• Brake lubricant.

Step-by-step guide:

• Park your car on an even, level surface and engage the parking brake. Chock the wheels to ensure the car remains in place throughout.

• Remove the wheel: Using a jack, lift the car and then secure it on your jack stands. Next, loosen the lug nuts on the wheel with your lug wrench – and remove the wheel.

• Find the brake calliper assembly: It’s behind the rotor and resembles a clamp holding the brake pads.

• Using your wrench, loosen and remove the bolts securing the calliper. Shimmy the calliper until it comes off, whilst taking care not to damage the brake line or brake pads.

• Replace your brake pads: Slide the old brake pads from the calliper bracket, whilst noting their placement to ensure you fit the new set correctly. Then, clean the calliper and bracket with brake cleaner.

• Install the new brake pads: Apply brake lubricant to the back of your new brake pads, where they contact the calliper - and slide them into the calliper bracket.

• Reset the calliper piston: Check whether the calliper piston needs to be reset. If it does, use a C-clamp or brake calliper tool to carefully compress it back into place. This will ensure there is enough room for the new, thicker brake pads.

• Reinstall the calliper: Place the calliper back over the brake pads. Ensure it is properly aligned, then fully tighten the bolts.

• Reinstall the wheel: Put the wheel back into place and manually tighten the lug nuts. Lower the car from the jack stands, then securely tighten the lug nuts using the lug wrench.

• Test the new brake pads: Pump the brake pedal several times to ensure the brake pads and rotor make contact as they should.

• Final checks: Start the engine and test the brakes in a safe, open space, ensuring they operate smoothly. Listen out for any unusual sounds coming from the brake pads.

Considerations for brake pad replacement

• If you plan to replace the brake pads yourself, compare the prices of several pads, whilst factoring in quality and longevity. Read consumer reviews to help you make an informed decision.

• Similarly, if you plan to take your car to a garage, make sure to get several quotes from reputable local mechanics. When making your decision, consider reputation, part quality, warranties and labour rates.

• In short, you should aim to strike a balance between cost effectiveness and quality.

Frequently Asked Questions