Brakes are vital for your vehicle’s safety, and replacing a brake disc can cost around £250 in the UK.

Bumpy ride? If you notice changes in braking performance or unusual noises, have them inspected and, if necessary, replaced by a mechanic. 

This article explains everything UK drivers need to know about brake pad replacement costs, so you can be ready for your repair.

How much do replacement brake pads cost? 

The average cost of replacement brake pads in the UK is £250, but this can go up to £500.

Replacement costs vary by car make, model, location, and labour. We’ll detail these factors and provide estimates below.

 to split the cost into interest-free monthly repayments.

Brake pad replacement costs per vehicle type

The brake pad replacement cost changes depending on the type of vehicle you have. Here are some estimates per car type.

Brake pad and disc replacement cost by UK location

Where you live can affect the price you’ll pay for a brake pad and disc replacement. Here’s the average cost per UK region, with prices generally higher in London and the South East and lower in northern regions.

Cost of brake pads vs cost of brake pads and discs

Replacing only your brake pads is cheaper because it involves less labour and fewer parts. 

In contrast, brake discs are more expensive components, and fitting them takes extra time as the mechanic must remove the old discs, fit the new ones, and then install new pads. 

This is why replacing both pads and discs costs more than pads alone. See estimated costs in the table below.

Brake pads vs discs - what’s the difference?

Brake pads and brake discs work together to stop your car. 

press against the rotating brake discs to create friction, slowing the car down. The pads are made of friction material and wear out over time, so they need regular replacement. 

, which provide the surface for friction, are usually made of cast iron or carbon composite. They are more durable and costly to replace than brake pads.

Usually, you only need a brake pad replacement. 

Should you replace brake discs and pads at the same time?

While not always essential, replacing brake discs and pads together is recommended for best braking performance and system longevity. Replacing only one can cause uneven wear and reduce efficiency. 

Although upfront costs are higher, doing both at once can save money by avoiding repeated visits to the mechanic.

Changing just the brake pads costs around £170. 

This is because changing the brake pads on a vehicle involves less labour and fewer new parts than both discs and pads. 

It also significantly depends on what type of car you drive; performance and ultra-luxury cars typically have larger brakes, which cost more to replace. 

The average brake pad will need replacing after 30,000 - 50,000 miles. 

If you live in an area with a lot of slow-moving traffic or many hills, your brakes will likely be used frequently, so you may want to get them checked often. 

How can you tell your brake pads need replacing? 

Unlike tyres, brake pads are hidden behind the wheels and inside the calliper, so it can be difficult to know exactly when they need replacing. 

Your brakes are one of your car’s most important safety features, so it’s worth knowing how to spot when the pads might be wearing out. 

If you're ever unsure, it’s best to call a mobile mechanic or visit a local garage for a professional inspection.

Yes, it’s okay to replace just the brake pads and not the discs.

Because the brake pad is consumable, the disc is generally protected from wear. Many sources say that while brake pads should last 30,000 miles, brake discs should last significantly longer.

As long as the discs aren't excessively worn and you haven’t let the pads wear down to the steel and damaged the discs, you should only need to replace the pads.

How long does it take to change brake pads?

It takes around an hour for a professional to change your brake pads. This may take longer if the discs also need replacing or if your vehicle has a more complex braking system.

No, you shouldn’t drive with worn-out brake pads.

As soon as you know your brake pads need replacing, you should drive only as far as your local mechanic.

Not only is it dangerous, but it could also lead to a £100 fine and three points per fault. If both your front and rear brakes are faulty, that’s at least £400 and 12 points.

Yes, worn or damaged brake discs can cause an MOT failure. 

Discs below the manufacturer’s minimum thickness are a major defect, while loose or cracked discs are dangerous defects, preventing the vehicle from being driven until repaired.

Researching how much replacement brake pads and discs cost is essential for all car owners because prices can vary depending on several factors. You don’t want to get caught out by a surprise fee!

It’s wise to shop around at different garages to compare quotes. Remember that repairing your brakes is a vital investment in both your car and your safety so do not delay it.

, you can split the cost of repairs into monthly payments at no extra cost. 

Apply online for up to £5,000 and choose from 1,000s of trusted repairers. 

How Much Replacement Brake Pads Discs Cost - UK Price Guide

¿Cuánto cuestan las pastillas de freno de repuesto?

Wie viel kostet der Austausch von Bremsbelägen? 

Covid lockdowns and restrictions have prompted nearly two-thirds of car owners to delay servicing and repair work, even though they know dealer workshops and garages are open for business, according to consumer research by Bumper.

Bumper, the new name for Auto Service Finance, polled the views of 2,635 car owners in February to see whether decisions on having their vehicles maintained had been impacted by the pandemic.

The research found 63% had delayed services and repairs because of Covid restrictions, even though 86% admitted to being aware that garages and dealer workshops were permitted to operate.

“Our research highlights a worrying trend with most car owners admitting to being worried about taking their vehicles into garages and dealerships as a result of Covid restrictions,” said James Jackson, CEO and co-founder.

“This raises safety concerns as service schedules are being stretched and repair work is being put off. Dealers and garages need to allay customer fears by reassuring them that Covid-19 secure guidelines are in place with timed appointments, contactless handovers, vehicle sanitation and social distancing.”

Bumper’s research also identified that customers would favour the option of remote payment, rather than paying a service advisor in person. Most (53%) said they would prefer to pay for work remotely by phone, laptop or computer. Over half (57%) said their preference had changed as a direct result of Covid.

“As we work through the current lockdown it’s increasingly apparent that customers want reassurance from dealerships and garages. Encouraging them to pay remotely is an easy win, especially as most businesses are already set up to take payments over the phone, suggesting that communicating this option needs to be more widely promoted,” said Jackson.

Bumper provides an interest-free digital payment platform for vehicle repairs and services, enabling owners to spread their costs.

Formerly Auto Service Finance, the multi award-winning UK fintech company delivers an instalment financing solution using proprietary AI enabled technology to facilitate real-time lending decisions.

Bumper enables dealerships and garages to sell a larger proportion of red and amber work, reducing workshop downtime, with no risks or liabilities, while also creating greater customer loyalty.

Co-founded by CEO James Jackson and CCO Jack Allman, Bumper is rated 89 in the 2021 FT 1000 listing of Europe’s fastest growing companies. Bumper works with 2,500 franchised dealers, over 650 garages and major car brands across the UK and Republic of Ireland, helping over 100,000 drivers to fund their servicing and repair bills.

Bumper is based in Sheffield and London, with a tech development centre in Ankara, Turkey.

Nearly two-thirds of car owners delay servicing and repair work because of Covid concerns, finds Bumper research

Bumper ranks 21st in the Financial Times annual list of fastest-growing FinTech companies in Europe. This is the second consecutive year the business has made the list.

The list is comprised of independent companies that have shown strength and resilience. To qualify businesses needed a minimum revenue of £1.2 million in 2017. Growth is then calculated as an average over the last 5 years. 

Bumper CEO and co-founder, James Jackson, said, ‘We’re delighted to be featured on the FT1000 list, and incredibly proud to be one of the fastest-growing companies in Europe for the second year in a row.’

‘Over the last 12 months our growth has been powered by working with many of the top 100 dealer groups; new partnerships with Nissan, Keyloop, CitNOW and RTC; launching into Ireland and Germany, and securing £9m in Series A funding.

‘We're ideally positioned to achieve further growth in 2022. Our motivation remains the same as it always has been – to put motorists back in the driving seat, by offering accessible, affordable and manageable finance solutions for everything from repairs and maintenance to accessories and more recently the addition of add-ons including GAP, service plans, warranties and paint protection.’

With recent significant investments and an expanding executive team, Bumper is in a position to increase growth and continue its mission of empowering drivers. 

Bumper ranks 21st in the fastest growing FinTechs by Financial Times

Since Bumper began trading in 2015, we’ve signed up over 3,000 garages and dealerships to the Bumper family across the UK. Now, we’re taking our first international step by launching in Ireland.

So far, over 50 sites have joined the Bumper network to offer their customers affordable monthly payments on repairs, MOTs, service work, accessories, and parts. These include:

Whilst the concept of Buy Now Pay Later is fairly new in Ireland, our partners have already helped hundreds of customers drive away happy, with their invoices and repairs sorted.

The launch is the first step on Bumper’s mission to become Europe’s largest Buy Now Pay Later provider for car repairs.

CEO, James Jackson said of the launch, ‘It’s fantastic to see so many sites signing up to the Bumper network and the instant popularity our service has had with both garages and customers.

‘I’m pleased we’re now able to bring the increased opportunity for garages and greater customer satisfaction we’ve brought to UK garages for the last 5 years, to the Irish market.

‘The experience gained throughout the launch in Ireland has put the team in a better position for operating in other European countries and I’m excited to see what the future brings.’

If your vehicle needs a service, MOT or repair, Bumper’s got your back.

and get the best care for you and your car. Split repair bills into sensible monthly chunks – interest-free.

Here’s an example of a €400 bill split into 4 monthly instalments.

Bumper’s European roll-out begins with launch in Ireland

Bumper's europäische Markteinführung beginnt mit dem Start in Irland

Car owners will expect dealer workshops and independent garages to offer greater flexibility in how they pay for servicing and repair work post-lockdown, according to research by Bumper.

Bumper polled the views of 2,635 car owners during the latest lockdown and found customers 

concerned about being presented with expensive bills

, especially for work deferred by the pandemic.

When asked for their main concerns about getting cars serviced or repaired, over half (58%) cited cost, with inconvenience an issue for just 3%; while 36% said it was a combination of both.

The research also identified the current preferred method of payment among owners was evenly split between debit cards (40%) and credit cards (38%).

However, when asked what size bill would prompt them to pay by using interest-free credit instead, the majority (38%) said they would use it for any amount. Over a quarter (27%) said they would use it for bills costing over £250, 22% for bills over £500 and 13% for bills over £750.

“Our research shows how consumer attitudes towards servicing and repair work has changed with customers now expecting greater flexibility in how they pay,” said James Jackson, Bumper’s CEO and co-founder.

“Car owners are used to spreading many of their motoring costs, so the ability to buy-now-pay-later would remove some of the pain typically associated with paying for services and repairs,” he said.

Customers expect greater payment flexibility from garages post-lockdown, finds Bumper research

Since the beginning of our partnership with Ecologi, we’ve funded the planting of over 2,500 trees and helped remove over 200 tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere.

From reforestation in Scotland to delivering clean drinking water in Haiti, here’s an update on some of the climate positive projects Bumper has funded.

Much of British wildlife depends on forest cover. However, deforestation and the collapse of ecosystems has led to a decline in recent years.

The Future Forest Company (FFC) restores land through reforestation and natural regeneration, with the aim of increasing the amount of carbon dioxide stored by the earth.

Through carefully managed reforestation projects the FFC restores natural habitats for these species – helping them to thrive.

By operating rural sustainable businesses such as birch syrup, high-welfare pork and smoking wood products, the FFC is able to provide opportunities to local communities whilst protecting wildlife and ecosystems.

Haiti is one of poorest countries in the western hemisphere, with over 6 million Haitians living below the poverty line. The country is also incredibly vulnerable to natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods.

In 2010, a massive earthquake shook the country. There were over 300,000 deaths, and over $8 billion dollars in damages. This left close to 70% of Haitians without access to clean drinking water.

The clean drinking water project helped families access Hydraid water filters. The water filter consists of layers of sand and a biological surface that consumes pathogens to provide clean water. It can last for over 10 years and provides families of up to 10, access to clean and safe drinking water.

Bumper funds climate positive projects with Ecologi

Bumper has secured a £10m flexible working capital facility from Secure Trust Bank Commercial Finance to support its ambitious growth plans.

This initial funding will be used to back continued expansion and growth across the UK, with the flexibility to increase in the future.

Bumper is Europe’s ninth fastest-growing fintech company according to the Financial Times and offers interest free Buy-Now-Pay-Later (BNPL) and PayNow products to finance vehicle repairs, servicing, add-ons and accessories.

The firm’s exponential growth follows a significant increase in dealership partners, with more than 60 per cent of the franchised market in the UK now using its platform, and the growing public adoption of BNPL to fund purchases. As a result, Bumper has seen record lending month-on-month and expects to see its gross merchandise value increase by threefold in 2021.

The initial facility will be used to support growth in the loan book and ensure Bumper can continue to help UK drivers spread the cost of their repair bills.

Secure Trust Bank Commercial Finance provides a full suite of asset-based lending options including invoice financing, working capital and inventory financing. Currently the commercial finance arm of the listed bank has in excess £500m of facilities agreed to support growing businesses across the UK.

“Bumper is on a rapid growth trajectory, thanks to our continued increase in partner numbers, ever improving tech for dealerships, user experience for customers and our recent rebrand,” said James Jackson, CEO and co-founder of Bumper.

“We were keen to ensure that we partnered with a business that truly understood our market and objectives and could create a flexible facility with scope to grow with us. Secure Trust has invested time in getting to know the business, created a flexible facility that works for us and were able to deliver it quickly.”

The new funding provision follows last month’s launch of Bumper’s service in Ireland, its first European market outside of the UK, with the company planning to become Europe’s largest BNPL provider for car repairs and servicing.

Bumper provides an interest-free digital payment platform for vehicle repairs and services, enabling owners to spread their costs. Formerly Auto Service Finance, the multi award-winning UK fintech company delivers an instalment financing solution using proprietary AI enabled technology to facilitate real-time lending decisions.

Co-founded by CEO James Jackson and CCO Jack Allman, Bumper is rated 89 in the 2021 FT 1000 listing of Europe’s fastest growing companies as well as the ninth fastest growing fintech business. Bumper works with 2,500 franchised dealers, over 650 garages and major car brands across the UK and Republic of Ireland, helping over 100,000 drivers to fund their servicing and repair bills.

Bumper secures £10m facility as it targets further expansion

Congratulations to the team at Snows Winchester for winning Dealership of the Month for June 2021.

The site first joined Bumper back in May 2016 and has since helped hundreds of customers pay for their car repairs over interest-free monthly instalments.

The Winchester team pride themselves on great customer service and frequently receive 5-star reviews on Trustpilot.

‘Very clear and concise explanation from the Service Advisor on the benefits of spreading the costs of repairs and very easy and quick to set up.’ – Keith (Snows Winchester Customer)

‘Good service and professional team. I will highly recommend.’ – Sergio (Snows Winchester Customer)

account manager, Marc, has looked after the site since they came onboard, he said, ‘The team at Snows Winchester have seen some great results from helping customers spread the cost of their service work.

There is always a friendly and professional atmosphere when I visit and the service advisors use Bumper to their advantage, increasing customer satisfaction and retention.’

Well done to the team at Snows Winchester!

Bumper helps drivers split repair bills into interest-free payments, so you can keep your car in tip-top condition without breaking the bank.

Alastair Shephard

Content Writer