Best prices on brake pads and rotors

Brake Replacement Costs at a Glance | Christian Brothers Automotive | Meineke | Midas | Jiffy Lube | Firestone | Pep Boys | What explains the difference in cost when it comes to brake replacement? | Is it okay to just replace brake pads? | How often do you need new brake pads? | How do you get the best deal on brake pads?

When you take your car to a mechanic, a brake job can run you anywhere from about $140 to $1000 or more per axle. The price difference can be attributed to several different factors, including: 

• The type, make, and model of your vehicle
• What’s included in the brake service package and accompanying warranty
• Fluctuations in part and labor costs
• Variations in taxes, surcharges, and shop fees

Below are the average estimated costs for brake pad and rotor replacement from a few different authorities around the web.  It can be assumed that these ranges are for vehicles commonly found on the road. Luxury and performance vehicles will usually see higher price tags on brake replacement.

While these ranges serve as a decent starting point, they vary fairly significantly, making it difficult to pinpoint what you might actually pay for brake service on your vehicle. To get the most accurate pricing on brake pad and rotor replacement, we called dozens of service centers around the U.S. - including big names like Midas, Meineke, Firestone, Pep Boys, Christian Brothers Automotive, and Jiffy Lube - to ask what they charge for brake replacement. (Note that Walmart and Costco didn’t make the list, since they don’t actually do brakes.)

Read on to see what we learned about the cost of new brake pads and rotors, as well as what accounts for the differences in pricing. 

Brake Pad Replacement Costs at a Glance

Here is our summary of actual quotes received for brake pad and rotor replacement services at leading automotive repair centers in the U.S. The price ranges are for a common commuter vehicle, such as a Nissan Altima, and are based on actual quotes gathered from at least two different locations per automotive service chain or franchise. 

Additional repair costs* commonly associated with brake pad replacement include:

• Brake fluid flush: $80-$120
• Brake caliper replacement: $166-$251 per caliper
• Brake line replacement: $156-$192
• Master cylinder replacement: $397-501

*Sources: repairpal.com and itstillruns.com

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What does brake pad replacement cost at Christian Brothers Automotive?

Christian Brothers Automotive is an automotive repair franchise with more than 230 locations nationwide. They are known for friendly customer service, honest pricing and repairs, and comfortable waiting areas equipped with free WIFI and coffee. 

On a typical vehicle (we asked about a Nissan Altima), brake pad and rotor replacement costs at Christian Brothers Automotive range from $380-$450. Unlike a lot of larger automotive repair providers, Christian Brothers Automotive does not machine rotors, nor do they recommend it. Therefore, expect a complete brake pad and rotor replacement when you choose them to replace your brakes. Christian Brothers Automotive brake service includes a free courtesy inspection, 3 year/36,000 mile warranty, and complimentary shuttle service within five miles of the shop.

Christian Brothers Automotive Cost and Service Breakdown

Type of brake pad used: Ceramic or original manufacturer’s recommendation

Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles

Options for rotors: Replace only

What does brake pad replacement cost at Meineke?

Meineke is a “one-stop” car care center with 900 franchise locations spread across the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean. Services include oil changes, brake repair, mufflers and exhaust, wheels and tires, A/C services, steering and suspension, batteries, and more. 

Starting prices for brake pad replacement and rotor resurfacing at Meineke range from $130-$300, plus tax. This is based on three different quotes received on the same Nissan Altima. New brake pads and rotors at Meineke will cost anywhere from $275 to $500 per axle, depending on the franchise location. The median price quoted for new brake pads at Meineke was $240, while for pads and rotors, it was $345. 

Brake service at Meineke includes a free 23-point brake system inspection and is backed by a 12 month/12,000 mile warranty. They use ceramic brake pads as a default but will adjust based on the type of brake pad the manufacturer recommends for your vehicle. Many Meineke locations are open seven days per week and also offer 6-month financing options on purchases of $199 or more. 

Meineke Cost and Service Breakdown

Type of brake pad used: Ceramic or manufacturer’s specification

Warranty: 12 month/12,000 miles

Options for rotors: Resurface or replace

What does brake pad replacement cost at Midas?

Midas is an automotive repair chain with approximately 2,500 franchise locations spread throughout the country. Some of the most common repairs performed at Midas include brakes, tires, batteries, radiators, heating and cooling systems, and shock absorbers.

Midas charges approximately $200-$219 (plus tax) for front axle brake pad replacement and $350-$400 for new brake pads and rotors. These prices reflect quotes on a 2015 Nissan Altima obtained from two different Midas locations.  

Midas’ brake replacement services are backed by the “Midas guarantee,” which includes a lifetime warranty on brake pads for as long as you own your vehicle. However, the warranty does not generally cover labor or damage caused by other brake system parts.

Midas Cost and Service Breakdown

Type of brake pad used: Ceramic or original manufacturer’s recommendation

Warranty: Lifetime guarantee on brake pads (not including labor)

Options for rotors: Resurface or replace

What does brake pad replacement cost at Jiffy Lube?

Jiffy Lube is one of the most recognized names in auto repair, with a national footprint of more than 2,000 franchisee-owned service centers spread across the US. While best known for oil changes, they provide a range of preventive maintenance services including inspections, brake repairs, filter replacements, fluid exchanged, suspensions, and tire rotations.

Brake replacement costs at Jiffy Lube are approximately $370-$410 per axle, based on two different quotes provided for a 2016 Nissan Altima. However, the exact range will vary based on location and vehicle type. For example, Groupon advertises brake repair at certain Jiffy Lube locations starting at $179 per axle; however, a Yelp review for a Jiffy Lube in Indiana claimed that a customer was quoted $600 for complete brake service that included pads and rotors.

Unlike many brake repair and automotive shops, Jiffy Lube only offers a complete brake service, meaning that they will not replace brake pads without replacing the rotors. However, their brake service is backed by nationwide limited warranty of up to 24 months/24,000 miles on parts and 12 months/12,000 miles on labor. Depending on the Jiffy Lube you go to, you might also be able to find a discount on brake replacement posted on their website or a partner site like Yelp or Groupon. 

Jiffy Lube Cost and Service Breakdown

Type of brake pad used: Ceramic or manufacturer’s specification

Options for rotors: Replace only

Warranty: 24 months/24,000 miles on parts, 12 months/12,000 miles on labor

What does brake pad replacement cost at Firestone?

With nearly 2,200 service centers across the United States, Firestone boasts one of the largest networks of company-owned automotive service providers in the world. While best known for its tire centers, Firestone Complete Auto Care locations offer a range of services that include brakes, batteries, oil changes, alignment and engine repair. Their website advertises free brake inspections that include a measurement of front and rear brake wear (pads/shoes and rotors/drums), brake fluid test, and parking/emergency brake inspection.

Firestone brake replacement costs range from $350 to $470, including parts and labor on new pads and rotors. For new brake pads only, a service that includes resurfaced rotors, the cost will be reduced by $120-$180 per axle. In fact, Firestone offers three distinct brake service packages: standard, better, and best. The prices quoted here are for their standard service, which includes new lifetime brake pads, rotor resurfacing or replacement, and a 1 year/12,000 mile warranty on labor.

Firestone Cost and Service Breakdown

Type of brake pad used: Ceramic or manufacturer’s specification

Options for rotors: Resurface or replace

Warranty: Three different tiers, depending on service package. Ranges from 12 months/12,000 miles to lifetime parts and labor.

What does brake pad replacement cost at Pep Boys?

On a common vehicle like a sedan or smaller pickup, brake pad replacement at Pep Boys will typically run you $209-$250 plus tax. To replace both brakes and rotors at Pep Boys, you can expect to pay in the range of $350-$435. This pricing reflects their standard brake service, which includes Wagner brake pad installation, resurfacing of brake rotors/drums, a lifetime warranty on brake pads/shoes, and a 1 year/12,000 mile warranty on labor. Their premium brake service costs extra and comes with a brake fluid flush and 2 year/24,000 mile warranty on labor.

With over 1,000 locations in the United States and Puerto Rico, Pep Boys is one of the most recognizable names in care care. Opening its first store in 1921, the company has expanded to more than 37 states and offers everything from name-brand tires, to fleet services, to general automotive maintenance and repair. 

Pep Boys Cost and Service Breakdown

Type of brake pad used: Ceramic or manufacturer’s specification

Options for rotors: Resurface or replace

Warranty: Lifetime on brake pads; 6 months on labor

What explains the difference in cost when it comes to brake replacement?

Considering cost is always a large part of replacing anything on your car, so it’s important to make sure you know where your money is being spent. Here are a few factors that explain the difference in brake repair costs from shop to shop.

Vehicle make and model

Brake parts for European-made cars such as Audis, BMWs, Jaguars, and Mercedes will typically cost you more than components for cars made in Japan or manufactured domestically. Apart from the brand of vehicle, its size and weight will also factor into the cost of brake replacement. A heavy-duty diesel pickup is going to cost the driver way more than replacing brakes on a Kia Rio. Cars with 4-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive may also run a higher tab for brake replacement, since there are usually more steps involved in removing them (and thus more costly labor).

The type and brand of brake components

Not all brake components are created equal. Depending on the type and brand used, a set of brake pads can cost as little as $20 to upwards of $160. Rotors can also vary significantly in quality and price, with budget rotors costing approximately $60 per axle and more premium brake rotors costing $230 or more.

Individual labor and shop fees

Depending on the shop and service, labor costs can run anywhere from $80-$200 per hour.  Certain garages will charge customers additional shop fees to cover incidental expenses like cleaners, hardware, lubricants, and general supplies. At Midas, for instance, a shop fee of up to $35 may apply on top of any taxes. Some shops might also charge an additional fee to work on hybrid vehicles, due to the extra labor involved in removing the trunk access panel to turn off and reconnect the power supply. 

Add-on services included in brake service package

Additional service costs commonly associated with brake replacement include brake fluid flush, rotor resurfacing, extended warranties, and inspections (though many shops will inspect your brakes for free when you come to them for repairs). 

Is it okay just to replace brake pads?

When you replace your brake pads, you typically have three options for what to do with your rotors: resurface them, replace them, or leave them as is. Resurfacing rotors, otherwise called “machining” or “turning” rotors, involves using a machine called a lathe to smooth out their surface and improve their performance alongside new brake pads. While many shops offer to turn rotors as part of their standard brake pad replacement service, others recommend against it, as machining takes material off the rotor and leaves it more vulnerable to overheating and warping. 

Fortunately, newer rotors are relatively inexpensive to replace, especially when you consider that resurfaced rotors may only give you a few thousand extra miles before you need to replace them all over again. Since resurfaced rotors are more inclined to warp and rub unevenly against the brake pads, chances are, you’ll need a new set of pads as well. So, while you can technically replace just the brake pads, you might be better off simply replacing both pads and rotors at once.

What is the cost to machine rotors?

Some shops will offer to resurface rotors for free when replacing your brake pads, although the actual cost is most likely already built into the labor charge. Others will charge a separate fee of anywhere from $10-$50 per rotor. The time it takes to machine rotors is generally 1-2 hours.

Where can you get rotors resurfaced?

Places that offer rotor resurfacing include:

• Firestone Complete Auto Care
• Meineke
• Midas
• Pep Boys
• Precision Auto Care
• Independent auto mechanics

Places that don’t resurface rotors include:

• Costco Tire Centers
• Christian Brothers Automotive
• Discount Tire
• Jiffy Lube
• Walmart Auto Care Centers
• Mobile mechanics

How often do you need new brake pads?

Every time you apply the brakes, your brake pads wear down just a bit. Depending on your driving style and the quality and composition of the original brake parts, brake pads can last anywhere from 20,000 to 70,000 miles (though the average time to replacement is about 40,000 miles). Rotors will usually need to be replaced after between 30,000 and 70,000 miles. To stay on the safe side, it’s recommended that you have your brakes checked for wear every 12,000 miles or at the first sign of unsafe brakes. Apart from bringing your car to a mechanic to examine the brake system, a few telltale signs that it’s time to replace your brakes include:

• Squeaking or squealing from your breaks
• Grinding sound when breaking
• Vibration in the steering wheel or brake pedal while braking
• Taking longer to stop
• Brake system indicator light comes on
• Your brake pads appear to be thin (usually less than ¼ inch or 6.4 mm)

How do you get the best deal on brake pad replacement?

Unscrupulous automotive repair shops will lure you through the door with low advertised pricing on brake replacement and then up the costs by telling you about a much better service package (the kind you actually need for your vehicle) or recommending unnecessary repairs. Others will simply refuse to quote you on a price until you’ve already sunk time into bringing your car around for an inspection, hoping that you'll stay for the repair. In order to get the best deal on brake repair, consider asking the following questions:

• What’s included in the brake service package?
• What brand and type of brake pad will be used?
• What brand and type of rotor will be used?
• What is the estimated cost for parts and labor?
• What coupons or discounts do you have running?
• What type of warranty on parts and labor do you offer for this particular service?

An honest brake service provider should be able to tell you a lot upfront, including the estimated price for common brake repairs on your vehicle make and model. If they refuse to give you any information over the phone, and instead tell you that you will need to bring your car in before they can quote you on anything, you may want to steer clear. Chances are they are banking on your not wanting the hassle of bringing your car elsewhere, even if they hit you with a hefty estimate. 

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NuBrakes Mobile Brake Repair at a Glance

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NuBrakes Mobile Brake Replacement Costs

Here are examples of mobile brake repair costs for some of the most common vehicles on the road. Pricing is based on actual repairs completed by NuBrakes technicians using CarQuest premium OEM-equivalent ceramic brake pads and painted rotors. Costs shown here include parts, labor, taxes, and fees. It’s important to note that costs can vary depending on a variety of factors, including your vehicle make and model and the pricing set by parts providers in different markets. 

>>For the most accurate pricing on your vehicle, start with afast, reliable quote from NuBrakes.