Front brake pads and discs cost £150 to £350 per axle in the UK, averaging around £269. Rear pads and discs run £120 to £280. All four corners together usually comes to £500 to £900.
| Vehicle type | Typical range | What affects it |
|---|---|---|
| Front pads only | £99–£135 | Fitted, mainstream car |
| Rear pads only | £100–£130 | Fitted, mainstream car |
| Front pads and discs | £150–£350 | Per axle, average around £269 |
| Rear pads and discs | £120–£280 | Per axle, average around £243 |
| All four corners | £500–£900 | Pads and discs front and rear |
| Premium or performance | £400–£800 | Per axle, larger discs and dearer parts |
Written by Chris Fisher, founder of Clarity-GMS and a working independent garage owner.
Brakes are the most common repair on any car and one of the easiest to get quoted fairly, because the work is predictable and the parts are well understood. That said, there is one decision that swings the price considerably.
Pads are the wearing part and get replaced most often. Front pads alone cost roughly £99 to £135 fitted, rear pads £100 to £130.
Discs wear too, just more slowly — typically lasting two sets of pads. Once a disc is below its minimum thickness, or badly scored, lipped or warped, it needs replacing. Fitting new pads to worn discs gives poor braking and chews through the new pads.
Doing both together is why front axle work comes to £150 to £350, averaging about £269, and rear axle work £120 to £280.
Front brakes do most of the work — roughly 70% of your stopping — so front pads wear faster and get replaced more often. Rear brakes last longer but can seize if the car does a lot of short journeys, particularly the handbrake mechanism on rear calipers.
You do not normally need all four corners at once, and a garage suggesting otherwise should be able to show you why. When all four do need doing together, expect £500 to £900.
Vehicle. A small hatchback is at the bottom of the range. Premium and performance cars — larger discs, more expensive parts — can reach £400 to £800 per axle.
Where you are. Labour rates vary meaningfully around the country. Regional averages range from roughly £190 to £280 for the same job.
Parts choice. Original manufacturer parts cost more than quality aftermarket equivalents. For most everyday cars, reputable aftermarket parts are entirely adequate.
Seized components. A seized caliper or corroded fitting adds time, and sometimes a caliper.
Squealing. Many pads have a wear indicator designed to squeal when they are low.
Grinding. Metal on metal — the pad material is gone and you are damaging the disc. Stop driving and get it seen.
Vibration through the pedal. Usually warped or unevenly worn discs.
Longer stopping distances or a soft pedal. Could be pads, could be fluid or a hydraulic fault.
Pulling to one side when braking. Often a sticking caliper.
Squealing means book it in soon. Grinding means stop — you are braking on metal, stopping distances are compromised, and every mile is adding to the repair bill by destroying the discs.
Worn brakes are also an MOT failure, so this is one to sort before test day rather than after. If you are already booking an annual service, ask the garage to check pad and disc wear at the same time.
Guide prices only. Actual cost varies by vehicle, parts and local labour rates. Get free quotes from vetted local garages through Fix My Motor — compare and book without ringing around yourself.Brakes are the most common repair on any car and one of the easiest to get quoted fairly, because the work is predictable and the parts are well understood. That said, there is one decision that swings the price considerably.
Pads are the wearing part and get replaced most often. Front pads alone cost roughly £99 to £135 fitted, rear pads £100 to £130.
Discs wear too, just more slowly — typically lasting two sets of pads. Once a disc is below its minimum thickness, or badly scored, lipped or warped, it needs replacing. Fitting new pads to worn discs gives poor braking and chews through the new pads.
Doing both together is why front axle work comes to £150 to £350, averaging about £269, and rear axle work £120 to £280.
Front brakes do most of the work — roughly 70% of your stopping — so front pads wear faster and get replaced more often. Rear brakes last longer but can seize if the car does a lot of short journeys, particularly the handbrake mechanism on rear calipers.
You do not normally need all four corners at once, and a garage suggesting otherwise should be able to show you why. When all four do need doing together, expect £500 to £900.
Vehicle. A small hatchback is at the bottom of the range. Premium and performance cars — larger discs, more expensive parts — can reach £400 to £800 per axle.
Where you are. Labour rates vary meaningfully around the country. Regional averages range from roughly £190 to £280 for the same job.
Parts choice. Original manufacturer parts cost more than quality aftermarket equivalents. For most everyday cars, reputable aftermarket parts are entirely adequate.
Seized components. A seized caliper or corroded fitting adds time, and sometimes a caliper.
Squealing. Many pads have a wear indicator designed to squeal when they are low.
Grinding. Metal on metal — the pad material is gone and you are damaging the disc. Stop driving and get it seen.
Vibration through the pedal. Usually warped or unevenly worn discs.
Longer stopping distances or a soft pedal. Could be pads, could be fluid or a hydraulic fault.
Pulling to one side when braking. Often a sticking caliper.
Squealing means book it in soon. Grinding means stop — you are braking on metal, stopping distances are compromised, and every mile is adding to the repair bill by destroying the discs.
Worn brakes are also an MOT failure, so this is one to sort before test day rather than after. If you are already booking an annual service, ask the garage to check pad and disc wear at the same time.
Guide prices only. Actual cost varies by vehicle, parts and local labour rates. Get free quotes from vetted local garages through Fix My Motor — compare and book without ringing around yourself.Written by Chris Fisher, founder of Clarity-GMS and a working independent garage owner.
Brakes are the most common repair on any car and one of the easiest to get quoted fairly, because the work is predictable and the parts are well understood. That said, there is one decision that swings the price considerably.
Pads are the wearing part and get replaced most often. Front pads alone cost roughly £99 to £135 fitted, rear pads £100 to £130.
Discs wear too, just more slowly — typically lasting two sets of pads. Once a disc is below its minimum thickness, or badly scored, lipped or warped, it needs replacing. Fitting new pads to worn discs gives poor braking and chews through the new pads.
Doing both together is why front axle work comes to £150 to £350, averaging about £269, and rear axle work £120 to £280.
Front brakes do most of the work — roughly 70% of your stopping — so front pads wear faster and get replaced more often. Rear brakes last longer but can seize if the car does a lot of short journeys, particularly the handbrake mechanism on rear calipers.
You do not normally need all four corners at once, and a garage suggesting otherwise should be able to show you why. When all four do need doing together, expect £500 to £900.
Vehicle. A small hatchback is at the bottom of the range. Premium and performance cars — larger discs, more expensive parts — can reach £400 to £800 per axle.
Where you are. Labour rates vary meaningfully around the country. Regional averages range from roughly £190 to £280 for the same job.
Parts choice. Original manufacturer parts cost more than quality aftermarket equivalents. For most everyday cars, reputable aftermarket parts are entirely adequate.
Seized components. A seized caliper or corroded fitting adds time, and sometimes a caliper.
Squealing. Many pads have a wear indicator designed to squeal when they are low.
Grinding. Metal on metal — the pad material is gone and you are damaging the disc. Stop driving and get it seen.
Vibration through the pedal. Usually warped or unevenly worn discs.
Longer stopping distances or a soft pedal. Could be pads, could be fluid or a hydraulic fault.
Pulling to one side when braking. Often a sticking caliper.
Squealing means book it in soon. Grinding means stop — you are braking on metal, stopping distances are compromised, and every mile is adding to the repair bill by destroying the discs.
Worn brakes are also an MOT failure, so this is one to sort before test day rather than after. If you are already booking an annual service, ask the garage to check pad and disc wear at the same time.
Guide prices only. Actual cost varies by vehicle, parts and local labour rates. Get real quotes from local garages for your car.Brakes are the most common repair on any car and one of the easiest to get quoted fairly, because the work is predictable and the parts are well understood. That said, there is one decision that swings the price considerably.
Pads are the wearing part and get replaced most often. Front pads alone cost roughly £99 to £135 fitted, rear pads £100 to £130.
Discs wear too, just more slowly — typically lasting two sets of pads. Once a disc is below its minimum thickness, or badly scored, lipped or warped, it needs replacing. Fitting new pads to worn discs gives poor braking and chews through the new pads.
Doing both together is why front axle work comes to £150 to £350, averaging about £269, and rear axle work £120 to £280.
Front brakes do most of the work — roughly 70% of your stopping — so front pads wear faster and get replaced more often. Rear brakes last longer but can seize if the car does a lot of short journeys, particularly the handbrake mechanism on rear calipers.
You do not normally need all four corners at once, and a garage suggesting otherwise should be able to show you why. When all four do need doing together, expect £500 to £900.
Vehicle. A small hatchback is at the bottom of the range. Premium and performance cars — larger discs, more expensive parts — can reach £400 to £800 per axle.
Where you are. Labour rates vary meaningfully around the country. Regional averages range from roughly £190 to £280 for the same job.
Parts choice. Original manufacturer parts cost more than quality aftermarket equivalents. For most everyday cars, reputable aftermarket parts are entirely adequate.
Seized components. A seized caliper or corroded fitting adds time, and sometimes a caliper.
Squealing. Many pads have a wear indicator designed to squeal when they are low.
Grinding. Metal on metal — the pad material is gone and you are damaging the disc. Stop driving and get it seen.
Vibration through the pedal. Usually warped or unevenly worn discs.
Longer stopping distances or a soft pedal. Could be pads, could be fluid or a hydraulic fault.
Pulling to one side when braking. Often a sticking caliper.
Squealing means book it in soon. Grinding means stop — you are braking on metal, stopping distances are compromised, and every mile is adding to the repair bill by destroying the discs.
Worn brakes are also an MOT failure, so this is one to sort before test day rather than after. If you are already booking an annual service, ask the garage to check pad and disc wear at the same time.
Guide prices only. Actual cost varies by vehicle, parts and local labour rates. Get real quotes from local garages for your car.
Last reviewed: 2026-07-30
Typically 25,000 to 50,000 miles, but it depends heavily on driving style and conditions. Town driving with frequent braking wears pads faster than motorway miles. Fronts wear faster than rears.
No. Discs usually last around two sets of pads. They need replacing when they are below minimum thickness, badly scored, lipped or warped. A garage should be able to show you the measurement.
No. Grinding means the friction material is gone and you are braking metal on metal. Stopping distances are compromised and you are destroying the discs with every mile, which increases the repair cost.
Usually parts choice and labour rate. Ask whether the quote is for pads only or pads and discs, and whether the parts are original manufacturer or aftermarket. Both can be fine, but they are not the same price.
Yes. Brake pads below the minimum thickness, badly worn or damaged discs, and imbalanced braking performance are all MOT failure items.