How much does it cost to replace brake discs and pads?
The average cost to replace your front brake discs and pads is £224.00. Costs can range from £140 to £400.
The average cost to replace your back brake discs and pads is £249.00. Again, those costs can range from £140 to £400.
It is fair to say that your brakes are your car’s most important safety feature.
Modern drum and disc-based systems are more and more complex, hence more and more efficient and reliable.
Disc-based system comprise a brake disc, calliper and pads or shoes – these have a lining to enhance friction. On braking, brake fluid enters the caliper, squeezing the pads against the disc to stop the car. This is basically how many braking systems works.
How much brake repairs cost at dealerships compared to using Fixter garages?
The cost of brake discs and pads replacement depends on your car brand, model and engine.
Also, depending on your location, the price of a brake discs and pads replacement on your vehicle can vary.
| Vehicle | Service | Dealer price | Fixter | Saving |
| BMW 1 Series Hatchback 2ltr Diesel | Front brake discs and pads replacement | £298 | £252 | 18% |
| Citroen C1 Airscape 1.2ltr Petrol | Front brake discs and pads replacement | £267 | £228 | 17% |
| Mini Hatchback 1.6ltr Petrol | Front brake discs and pads replacement | £174 | £151 | 15% |
| Nissan Juke 1.5ltr Petrol | Front brake discs and pads replacement | £440 | £379 | 16% |
| Peugeot 208 1.6ltr Diesel | Front brake discs and pads replacement | £196 | £169 | 16% |
| Audi A3 2ltr Diesel | Rear brake discs and pads replacement | £265 | £232 | 14% |
| BMW 3 Series 1.6ltr Petrol | Rear brake discs and pads replacement | £439 | £382 | 15% |
| Citroen C4 1.6ltr Diesel | Rear brake discs and pads replacement | £349 | £293 | 19% |
| Honda Jazz 1.4ltr Petrol | Rear brake discs and pads replacement | £182 | £154 | 18% |
| Hyundai I10 1.2 Petrol | Rear brake discs and pads replacement | £192 | £160 | 20% |
What factors can affect your brake disc and pad replacement?
There isn’t much that is likely to affect your brake replacement apart from choosing different branded parts, or if there has been subsequent damage caused to associated components due to failed or faulty performance.
What are the costs of the replacement brake disc and pads parts?
The average price for front pads comes in at £53, with the discs contributing far more at £111.
The average price for rear pads is the same at £53, but with a slightly higher cost of £116 for the rear discs.
We’ve traced the average prices for 2015 models from Eurocarparts below.
| Car Make | Car Model | Disc Price Front/Rear | Pad Prices Front/Rear |
| Ford | Fiesta | £39/£17 | £39/£20 |
| Fiat | 500 | £39/£15 | £30/£30 |
| Volkswagen | Golf | £80/46 | £39/£33 |
| Mercedes | C Class | £229/£103 | £53/£30 |
| Audi | A4 | £66/£53 | £53/£47 |
| BMW | 5 Series | £102/£87 | £70/£56 |
| Land Rover | Range Rover | £114/£104 | £142/£82 |
| Volkswagen | Tiguan | £80/£46 | £55/£49 |
| Audi | Q5 | £66/£53 | £60/£47 |
What are the labour times and rates for brake replacement?
Replacing a pair of brake discs and pads takes between 1 and 3 hours for the front, and the same for the rear.
The hourly rate for garages operating in London is £78, and, as you’d expect, the rate outside the London area is a little lower at £72.
How long does brake disc and pad replacement take?
We’ve mentioned the average time it takes to swap out a pair of brake discs and pads, but for a closer look at specific makes and models, giving an idea on different sizes and classes of cars, the following table should give you an idea of the sorts of times involved.
| Car Make | Car Model | Front Brake Replacement Time | Rear Brake Replacement Time |
| Ford | Fiesta | 1.6 hours | 2 hours |
| Fiat | 500 | 1.25 hours | 1.45 hours |
| Volkswagen | Golf | 2.1 hours | 2.8 hours |
| Mercedes | C Class | 2.4 hours | 2.1 hours |
| Audi | A4 | 1.3 hours | 1.9 hours |
| BMW | 5 Series | 1.75 hours | 1.7 hours |
| Land Rover | Range Rover | 1.8 hours | 2.7 hours |
| Volkswagen | Tiguan | 2.1 hours | 2.7 hours |
| Audi | Q5 | 1.3 hours | 1.9 hours |
When do I need to change my brake discs and pads?
There is usually no accurate sign to determine whether or not you need to change your brake pads and discs except checking visually.
If you want to know precisely when do you need to change your brake discs and pads, you can do this by looking at your brake discs through the wheel spokes.
What should look for in brake disc and pad wear?
Look for the shiny exterior on the disc facing you, and check for grooves, scoring or rough spots, which normally suggest the brake disc is below its minimum recommended thickness.
Also, look for uneven wear resulting from metal on metal contact with worn pads.
There may also be radial cracks, caused by overheating or raised outer edges. A micrometer test more accurately assesses whether the thickness of the disc is safe.
Regarding pads, they are key to any braking system. They usually are flat parts with a metal backing and protect more expensive components like discs and rotors.
Most of the time, new brake pads will enhance braking performance without being hugely expensive.
Should I change my brake discs and pads at the same time?
If you’re changing a brake disc, we’d recommend changing brake pads at the same time. Otherwise, new discs wear unevenly, and the resulting damage could be serious and cost your car its MOT test. (Braking systems, incidentally, are behind many MOT failures.)
Don’t take any chances – worn braking parts lead to increased stopping distances, diminished braking ability, and heightened risks of an accident.
How often should I check my brake discs and pads?
Drivers should check their braking system regularly as part of preventative maintenance. You can’t replace brake pads or discs yourself safely without detailed mechanical knowledge, so using a professional mechanic is the best way to make sure everything’s done properly.
Book a brake discs replacement
How Fixter can help
Fixter’s mechanics are qualified to get this done properly. One of our approved partner garages will assess your brake pads and discs thoroughly, probably as part of your MOT or servicing.
We offer door-to-door collection, a 12-month guarantee on parts and labour, and transparent, affordable fees.
Pop in your registration details to receive a quote for our competitively priced brake pads and discs replacement service.
Choose Fixter – Get an instant quote for your brake disc and pad replacement and save up to 30%
About Fixter
Fixter is revolutionising the car maintenance industry, one repair at a time. Fixter was founded to make car maintenance as easy as booking a taxi. Digital, transparent and stress-free, with world-class customer service. Since launching in Manchester in 2017, Fixter has expanded to more than 100 cities across the UK and provided thousands of car owners with honest, convenient and affordable car repair services.