Your brakes will wear out and need to be replaced over time, which is usually done in pairs at an average cost of between $200 and $400 per axle. Depending on mileage and how long you waited to change your brake pads, other components may also need to be swapped out, like your rotors or calipers, which will add to the cost.
Factors that influence brake pad replacement costs
Your brake pad price tag isn’t just about the parts — everything from your driving habits to your choice of mechanic can affect how much you’ll pay. Here are the main factors that affect the cost to replace brake pads.
Number of axles
All modern cars have brakes on each wheel, meaning that you have two sets of brakes: One set in the front and one in the rear. These don’t always wear out evenly, so you may find yourself needing all new brakes or one set at a time.
Replacing brake pads on both the front and rear axles costs more than replacing just one set of brakes, but your mechanic may offer a discount if you replace all of your brake pads at once.
Type of brake pads
Brake pads come at many different price points, depending on the materials and brand.
Semi-metallic brake pads are the most common and contain a mix of metal fibers, like steel or copper, along with filler materials. Ceramic brake pads are made of ceramic fibers and filler materials. These typically last longer than other types of brake pads, but they also cost more.
Organic brake pads, or non-asbestos brake pads, can be made of materials such as rubber and glass. They wear down more quickly than other types, and they’re not recommended for heavy-duty usage.
Your vehicle
Some brake systems are complex than others, and it takes more labor to replace those brake pads than on a simpler vehicle. Most shop repairs are calculated by both the cost of parts and the labor involved, so a difficult or lengthy brake job will typically cost more than an easy one.
Other repairs
While you can get just your brake pads replaced on occasion, you will often need to replace or service auxiliary parts such as your rotors and brake calipers. This will increase your cost of the total service but is necessary for your new brake pads to perform at their best.
Mechanic
Brakes can be repaired or replaced at dealerships, independent shops and car repair chains, some of which specialize in brake service. You will likely pay more for brake pads when getting them at a dealership than a smaller shop.
What is brake pad replacement?
Brake pad replacement is a regular vehicle service that involves replacing worn down brake pads at two or more wheels with new pads. These brake pads are responsible for providing the necessary friction to stop your car on demand when you press the brake pedal, but they will wear down with use and need to be swapped out.
Modern cars have brake pads on all four wheels, which are squeezed against a metal disc, called a rotor, to stop your vehicle when you press the brake pedal. Some cars have disc brakes on all four wheels, while others use disc brakes in the front and drum brakes in the rear.
With disc brakes, stepping on the brake pedal forces brake fluid through the brake lines to each wheel. Then a caliper squeezes the brake pads against a metal disc called a rotor that’s connected to the wheel. The friction slows and stops the wheel.
Drum brakes work a little differently. Instead of rotors, they have metal bowls, called brake drums, that rotate along with the wheel. And instead of calipers and brake pads, components called brake shoes press against the inside rim of the drum to slow or stop the rotation of the wheel.
How often do I need brake pad replacement?
It’s generally a good idea to have your brakes and brake pads inspected every 5 months or 5,000 miles, but your owner’s manual may have specific recommendations. Decent brake pads should last 30,000 to 70,000 miles.
Beyond those guidelines, the following symptoms are signs that you should get your brakes checked.
- A screeching or grinding sound: Most new brake pads have a wear indicator. Once that indicator is exposed, it drags against the rotor and makes a loud noise that’s hard to ignore.
- Vibrations when braking: Vibration could indicate that all of a brake pad’s friction material is gone, and the metal backing on the brake pads is rubbing directly against the metal of the rotor.
- Performance issues: If your car is taking longer to stop than usual, your brake pads may be wearing down or you could need another service, like caliper repair or a brake fluid replacement.
- Brake warning light: This could indicate low brake fluid or that your brake pads need replacing.
How to save on brake pad replacement
Brake pads aren’t exactly a cheap fix, so if you need new ones it’s wise to spend some extra time looking for ways to save.
Get multiple estimates
Get quotes from multiple shops and service providers if you know a brake pad replacement is in your near future. The shop may only need to know your vehicle’s make, model and year to give you a quote, but dealerships may ask for your vehicle identification number (VIN) to make sure you get the right parts.
Ask for discounts
Check to see if any coupons, discounts or other savings offers are available before booking your service. Many brake-specific repair chains have specials and promotions on brake pad replacement, while dealerships and local shops may send out coupons in mailers. If you’re a teacher or active duty military, it never hurts to ask if discounts are available to you, too.
FAQs
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Can I replace brake pads myself?
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What happens if I ignore my brake indicators?
Stephanie Colestock is a seasoned writer specializing in personal finance. With over 14 years of experience, she crafts insightful and accessible content on a wide range of financial topics, including insurance, credit and debt management, banking, investing, retirement planning, and household finances.
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When she’s not writing, Stephanie enjoys helping individuals make smarter financial decisions through her engaging and well-researched articles.
Deirdra Funcheon is a journalist with a master`s degree from Boston University and more than 20 years of experience covering a broad range of topics. She has worked at Univision (on the investigative team at Fusion), Axios (where she covered Miami-area news) and Bisnow (covering the commercial real estate industry). At Jerry, she aims to empower drivers with knowledge about how their vehicles work and how best to handle repairs, insurance and other complications of car ownership.
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