Last updated: July 2026 — every price on this page was checked against the named UK sources on 8 July 2026.
Front brake pads cost £99–£135 to replace in the UK — ClickMechanic’s average is £99 (range £75–£175), Checkatrade’s band is £105–£135 and the RAC’s average is £127 (2026 prices). Rear pads run slightly less.
Add discs and the per-axle bill reaches £190–£500 depending on car and parts grade.
Brake costs: all five sources compared
| Job | Published figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Front pads | £99 avg (£75–£175) | ClickMechanic |
| Front pads | £105–£135 | Checkatrade |
| Front + rear pads | £127 + £121 (£150–£700 overall) | RAC |
| Front + rear pads (marketplace average) | £252.60 | FixMyCar |
| Pads + discs, per axle | £190–£240 (by engine size) / £200–£500 | Checkatrade / RAC |
| Pads + discs, all four corners | £554.50 average | FixMyCar |
By make, expect premium badges to cost more: the RAC’s recent-quarter table runs from £293 (Ford) through £317 (BMW) and £350 (Audi) to £415 (Mercedes) for brake work, and Checkatrade puts BMW jobs at £377.50 on average. Engine size is the other published axis: Checkatrade prices front pads at £105 under 1300cc rising to £135 over 2200cc.
Parts vs labour: where the money goes
Brakes are a parts-led job: pads take about an hour to fit (ClickMechanic and Bumper agree; Checkatrade says under an hour per axle) and pads-plus-discs one to three hours. At £40–£80 per hour, labour is rarely more than £100–£240 of the bill — which is why parts grade (OE-spec against budget) and whether discs are genuinely needed move your quote far more than the hourly rate does.
Pads only, or pads and discs?
Discs are replaced when below minimum thickness, scored or corroded — not automatically with every pad change. But when they are borderline, doing both per axle at once (RAC band: £200–£500) saves repeating the labour within a year. Two cases where discs come up early: heavy cars that overheat them, and little-used cars — including EVs — where surface rust turns to pitting. Unlike most jobs on this site, brakes cannot be deferred: worn pads, scored discs and braking imbalance are MOT failure items.
What affects the price?
- Pads alone vs pads and discs — discs roughly double the per-axle bill.
- Engine size and badge — £105 to £135 by engine size (Checkatrade); £293 to £415 by make (RAC).
- Wear sensors and electronic parking brakes — premium cars add parts and calibration steps.
- Parts grade — OE-spec against budget moves £100+ per axle.
- Location — £50–£100 hourly in cities against £35–£50 rural (FixMyCar).
Frequently asked questions
How long do brake pads last?
It varies hugely with driving style and route — city stop-start wears pads far faster than motorway miles. The MOT and any service will flag wear; squealing or grinding means you are already late.
How long does a brake pad change take?
Around an hour per axle — ClickMechanic, Bumper and Checkatrade all publish that figure. Pads and discs together run one to three hours. Usually a while-you-wait job.
Are worn brakes an MOT failure?
Yes — brakes are a core MOT check. Pads below the limit, scored or pitted discs and braking imbalance are all failure items, and brake defects are among the top MOT failure categories in DVSA data.
Why was I quoted £500 when pads cost £100?
Almost certainly discs, both axles, or a premium car with wear sensors. Ask for the quote itemised per axle and per part — the £100 figure is front pads only on a mainstream car.
Brake guides by model and type
- BMW 3 Series brake pads and discs cost
- EV brake service cost
- Car failed its MOT: is it worth fixing?
Sources: ClickMechanic brake pads guide, Checkatrade, the RAC, FixMyCar and Bumper, all checked 8 July 2026. See how we verify prices.