Typical UK brake prices
Prices below cover parts and labour at an independent garage working at around £70 an hour. Main dealers usually sit 30 to 60 per cent higher for the same work.
| Job | Typical UK cost |
|---|---|
| Front pads only | £120 to £200 |
| Rear pads only | £110 to £190 |
| Front pads and discs | £220 to £400 |
| Rear pads and discs | £200 to £380 |
| Rear pads and discs with electronic handbrake | £250 to £450 |
| All four corners, pads and discs | £400 to £750 |
| Prestige or performance brakes | £500 to £1,500+ |
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What affects the cost
Pads only or pads and discs
Discs wear alongside pads. If the discs are lipped, scored or below minimum thickness, replacing pads alone is false economy because the new pads will wear unevenly.
Car make and model
A Dacia or Fiesta uses cheap, widely available parts. A Range Rover, BMW M car or large SUV uses bigger discs and pricier pads, which can double or triple the parts bill.
Electronic parking brakes
Most modern cars need the rear calipers wound back with a diagnostic tool. That adds time and means the job needs a garage with the right kit.
Parts quality
Budget pads are cheaper up front but often dust more, fade sooner and wear faster. Mid-range OE-equivalent parts usually work out better value over the life of the car.
Signs your brakes need attention
- A squeal or grinding noise when braking, especially at low speed.
- The brake pedal feels spongy, long, or pulses under your foot.
- The car pulls to one side under braking.
- A visible lip around the outer edge of the disc, or deep scoring.
- The brake wear warning light appears on the dashboard.
How to pay a fair price
Brakes are a safety item, so the cheapest quote is not automatically the right one. Ask each garage which brand of pads and discs they will fit and whether the price includes new wear sensors and fitting kits. Comparing three quotes on a like-for-like basis usually saves £80 to £150 on a four-corner job.
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