Get your car brakes fixed
Compare brake pads and discs, hand brake or brake callipers quotes and brake specialists near you
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£440.93
Average quote for brake repairs
Servicing your car brakes
The braking system in a car is responsible for bringing your vehicle to a safe stop when you’re driving. Wear to any of the brake components, or even failure, poses a serious threat to safety and car functionality. Your car's braking system is made up of the following components:
Brake discs, which spin with your car's wheels
Brake pads, which push on the discs to slow the car
Brake calipers, which hold and push the pads
Brake lines (or 'Hoses'), which carry Brake Fluid
Brake master cylinder and servo, which work to amplify the effort you use when pushing the brake pedal
Modern cars have brakes on all four wheels that are operated by a hydraulic system made up of several components, all of which are subject to stress that could result in breakage. The front brakes in a car are typically the ones which play the greater role in bringing a car to a stop because the weight of the car is thrown forward every time the vehicle slows.
How do you find mechanics on WhoCanFixMyCar?
Finding a mechanic to get your car brakes fixed
- Enter your car registration and postcode
- Compare local garages, mechanics and dealerships based on price, reviews and location.
- Book your mechanic online instantlyBook your chosen mechanic at a time that works for you.
Browse brake repairs specialists near you
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Brake repair average costs
The cost to repair brakes will vary depending on what type of repair is required and for which components, but you can expect to pay around £440.93. Take a look below at the average quote on WhoCanFixMyCar for some of the top car makes and models.
Brake repairs
The average cost of a brake repair booked on WhoCanFixMyCar is £440.93.
Wear or failure of the brakes requires an urgent repair. Brake repairs are a common job and often include the replacement of parts.
Can include- Diagnosis
- Brake pad replacement
- Brake caliper repair
- Brake fluid replacement
- Handbrake repair
- Brake lines repair
- Brake disc replacement
Brake pads and disc change
The average price of brake pads and disc fitting booked on WhoCanFixMyCar is £439.51.
Brake pads and discs need replacing every 25,000-60,000 miles, or if you notice an unusual noise when you brake. It's a standard job, and a professional can quickly fit your new brake pads and discs.
Can include- Brake testing
- Full brake pad and disc replacement
Brake fluid change
The average cost of a brake fluid change booked on WhoCanFixMyCar is £58.21. Brake fluid needs changing every two years to keep your braking system working correctly. A professional will flush out and replace your brake fluid using specialist equipment to avoid it being contaminated.
Can include- Brake fluid replacement
Which brake repair service do you need?
Here are some common brake repair services offered by most garages and brake repair technicians:
Master cylinder repair
Brake lines
Brake pads and discs are the most common form of brake repair. The discs spin with your car's wheels and the pads are pushed against the discs when you apply the brake pedal in order to bring your car to a halt.
Calipers hold the pads against the discs when the brakes are applied. Therefore, a car cannot come to a stop without them being fully operational.
Brake fluid problems are common when it comes to brake repairs. If the fluid drops below a certain level, a driver’s ability to bring a car to a halt will drop rapidly. This often happens due to a leak caused by rust. Fluid levels will always be checked during a full service or an MOT, and if the level is too low, a mechanic will check for a leak.
An anti-lock braking system is used by many modern cars. This method of braking has been implemented as a safety measure; it allows the car to maintain tractive contact with the road as the brakes are applied and the vehicle comes to a stop. The ABS light coming on should prompt you to take the car to a garage to have the issue looked at as the system may no longer be fully operational. If the ABS light AND brake light switch are on at the same time, it is critically important that you get to a local garage as soon as possible.
The master cylinder is a vital part of the braking system. It serves as the main valve through which brake fluid is channelled to the lines and onto the calipers, which, in turn, grip the pads that clamp onto the disc to bring a car to a halt. A master cylinder controls the flow of the brake fluid, so if there is a fault, the car will not be able to stop properly.
Brake lines carry brake fluid from the master cylinder to the calipers. Brake lines are subject to deterioration as a result of rust damage and brake fluid leakage. If the lines break, then fluid cannot be carried to the calipers and you will not be able to stop your car.
The most common form of handbrake problems is when the handbrake cable snaps and a new one needs to be fitted. A new handbrake cable is not expensive, and fitting the part is not a complex job, so you shouldn't have to pay a lot in labour costs. Rust may cause the handbrake cable to weaken and snap. One of the most obvious signs that the cable is close to snapping is that the handbrake itself will pull up higher than usual.
Unsure of whether your car needs a brake repair? Book your car for a diagnostic and the mechanic will be able to tell you whether the braking system of your car is damaged and what needs to be repaired to get it working optimally again.
Common car brake issues explained
Find out some of the common brake issues and how they can be repaired
Top warning signs that brakes need a repair
If you suspect you need your brakes repaired but your car is still drivable, there are some symptoms which could give you clues as to what the problem is. The brakes are often the noisiest part of a car if there is an issue which means you should be able to hear a problem with them - something which cannot be said of many other broken car parts.
Check engine light switched on
If the engine warning light switches on, there are a variety of problems which could be the cause, including the master cylinder. If there is a pressure change, it could be the result of the master cylinder breaking.
Metallic grinding noise
This may be caused by worn pads. Metal will be clutching metal to stop, so the noise will not be pleasant.
Squealing brakes
This will lead to extensive damage of the linings, drums and rotors. The noise may just mean that a stone or debris got stuck in between the brake caliper and the brake pad, though this is rare.
Fading of low brake pedal
This can be caused by three issues: leakage in the system, air getting into the brake linings or a need to adjust the brake.
Pulling to one side
This happens when you either have a damaged brake line, worn brake linings or uneven linings. If the brakes are dragging, this is likely because contaminated fluid is in the system or the brakes are not being adjusted properly.
Abnormal brake behaviour
If the brake pedal feels spongy or is slow to sink to the floor, there is a good chance that the master cylinder is to blame.
Contaminated brake fluid
If the rubber seals on a master cylinder break down over time, the debris and lack of effectiveness of the part will result in the contamination of brake fluid, which turns dark brown or black.
Common brake problems
Loss of fluid
Snapped belt
Worn pump
Air in the system
Clog in the system
Are brake repairs necessary?
It is recommended that you book your vehicle in with a trusted garage should you notice any warning signs that your brakes are faulty.
It is not advisable to continue driving with failing brakes because they are a major safety feature and poor brakes limit your control over the vehicle, increasing the chances of an accident. Therefore, at the first sign of a problem, visit a garage as soon as possible.
Learn more about brakes
How do I know when my brakes need changing?
Some warning signs that your brakes need attention for brake repair or brake replacement include:
Squeaking or squealing sounds coming from the brakes indicate brake pad replacement is needed
Brake light comes on dashboard
Deep grinding metallic sounds when applying brakes indicate brake disc replacement
Vibrating brake pedal
When a mechanic tells you the brake pads are less than a quarter inch thick
How much do brake repairs cost?
On average you can expect to pay around £440.93 for a brake repair when booked through WhoCanFixMyCar. However, the cost will vary depending on the make and model of your car, as well as the labour time needed to carry out the repair.
Should you replace all four brake pads at once?
Every car has brake pads on each of its wheels, so there are four in total. Most mechanics will recommend replacing brake pads in the front or brake pads in the rear at the same time to keep things even. If one brake pad on the front axle is replaced, then it is better to have the second front brake pad on the same axle replaced.
Do front or rear brakes last longer?
On average, rear brake pads tend to last longer because most cars are front wheel drive, so the front brake pads work harder to help slow the car down first.
Can brakes work without brake fluid?
Brakes need brake fluid to run efficiently. The fluid is pushed through your brake lines in order to work optimally.