Repair costs

Brake pad replacement garage rates and how often MOTs call for it

What UK garages charge per hour, from ONS price quotes, and how often MOT tests fail on the items this repair fixes, from 130,233,413 DVSA MOT tests (2022 to 2025).

Prices updated 22 September 2026. MOT data updated 28 September 2026.

Garage labour rates

No public source records the price of this whole job, and the time it takes varies from car to car, so we do not publish a single figure. Garages charge by the hour, so ask for a quote that lists labour time and parts. The rates below are what UK garages charge per hour.

Local garage labour, per hour (65 shops)£78

Local garage, middle half£70 to £96

Main dealer labour, per hour (62 shops)£156

Main dealer, middle half£144 to £174

Median hourly rate charged for car repairs, from 1,058 local garage and 953 main dealer price quotes collected by the ONS, September 2025 to August 2026. The same shops are priced each month, so the number of shops is the real sample.

MOT defects this repair fixes

Brake pad(s) wearing thin7.61 per 100
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick1.85 per 100
Brake pad(s) worn down to wear indicator0.17 per 100

Records per 100 MOT tests at all ages (n=130,233,413 tests).

How often by age

All cars: 2.02 fail items per 100 MOTs that this repair fixes (n=130,233,413 tests), highest at 11 years with 2.29 per 100 (n=8,087,514). A test with two such items counts twice.

Fail items fixed by brake pad replacement, per 100 MOT tests of cars at each age.
Age	Per 100 MOTs	Tests (n)
3 years	1.08	8,016,463
4 years	1.42	8,699,937
5 years	1.84	9,425,360
6 years	2.09	10,382,720
7 years	2.16	10,537,318
8 years	2.19	10,440,457
9 years	2.23	9,949,012
10 years	2.26	9,049,507
11 years	2.29	8,087,514
12 years	2.29	7,303,151
13 years	2.26	6,612,160
14 years	2.23	6,054,526
15 years	2.20	5,591,675
16 years	2.14	4,858,625
17 years	2.08	4,040,458
18 years	1.99	3,261,622
19 years	1.84	2,479,858
20 years	1.74	1,845,952
21 years	1.59	1,321,417
22 years	1.43	913,980
23 years	1.29	619,531
24 years	1.08	428,815
25 years	0.95	313,355

Models that fail on these items more often

At least 1.3 times the rate of cars of the same ages and fuel, over ages with at least 1,000 tests each and 20,000 in total. Each generation of a model is compared on its own. 24 of these have their own page.

Model	Times as often	Tests (n)
Volvo XC40	at least 2.3	229,238
Honda FR-V	at least 2.0	29,995
Fiat Bravo	at least 2.0	20,980
LEVC TX	at least 1.9	35,503
Kia Carens	at least 1.9	59,911
Mazda 5	at least 1.8	44,929
MG HS	at least 1.8	45,337
Nissan X-Trail	at least 1.8	370,278
Ford Grand C-Max	at least 1.8	145,176
Skoda Kamiq	at least 1.8	47,898
Nissan Qashqai	at least 1.8	2,264,112
Citroen C4 Grand Picasso	at least 1.8	88,311
Nissan Elgrand	at least 1.7	48,346
Mercedes-Benz Citan	at least 1.7	80,122
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross	at least 1.7	45,345
SsangYong Tivoli	at least 1.7	27,007
Skoda Scala	at least 1.7	24,182
Toyota Corollafirst used before 2019	at least 1.7	238,334
Peugeot 5008	at least 1.7	130,903
Nissan Almera	at least 1.7	64,930
Renault Grand Scenic	at least 1.6	98,535
Mitsubishi Outlander	at least 1.6	305,188
Vauxhall Zafira	at least 1.6	861,172
Chevrolet Captiva	at least 1.6	25,550
Mazda 3	at least 1.6	435,738

41 more models

Model	Times as often	Tests (n)
Honda Accord	at least 1.6	111,371
Hyundai Tucsonfirst used 2015 or later	at least 1.6	520,466
Volkswagen T-Cross	at least 1.5	75,652
Ford Transit Custom	at least 1.5	499,881
Hyundai i40	at least 1.5	85,833
Volvo V90first used 2016 or later	at least 1.5	57,957
MG ZSfirst used 2017 or later	at least 1.5	143,170
Kia Sportage	at least 1.5	1,070,582
Kia Optima	at least 1.5	45,012
SEAT Tarraco	at least 1.5	30,698
Fiat Tipo	at least 1.5	49,704
Nissan Pulsar	at least 1.5	84,984
Hyundai Coupe	at least 1.5	24,661
Vauxhall Insignia	at least 1.5	834,880
Volvo S90	at least 1.5	29,076
Ford S-Max	at least 1.4	301,431
Vauxhall Vectra	at least 1.4	139,086
Alfa Romeo Mito	at least 1.4	78,902
Kia Stonic	at least 1.4	94,808
Ford C-Max	at least 1.4	527,219
Hyundai ix20	at least 1.4	116,300
SEAT Arona	at least 1.4	173,475
Renault Kadjar	at least 1.4	267,506
Nissan Juke	at least 1.4	1,225,209
Volvo V60	at least 1.4	152,693
Vauxhall Astra	at least 1.4	2,724,083
Honda Jazz	at least 1.4	1,350,206
Hyundai ix35	at least 1.4	209,126
Hyundai i800	at least 1.3	32,058
Chrysler Grand Voyager	at least 1.3	23,503
Vauxhall Vivaro	at least 1.3	739,286
Mitsubishi ASX	at least 1.3	116,909
Honda Civic	at least 1.3	1,140,581
Mazda 6	at least 1.3	259,157
Vauxhall Mokka	at least 1.3	930,592
Mitsubishi Shogun	at least 1.3	104,916
Renault Laguna	at least 1.3	39,310
Citroen C4	at least 1.3	557,142
Hyundai Santa FE	at least 1.3	135,968
Honda Insightfirst used 2009 or later	at least 1.3	34,023
Mitsubishi Mirage	at least 1.3	44,082

Models that fail on these items less often

At most 0.7 times the rate of cars of the same ages and fuel, on the same rules.

Model	Times as often	Tests (n)
Porsche 911	at most 0.4	174,386
Porsche Macan	at most 0.4	115,297
BMW M4	at most 0.4	47,927
Suzuki Ignisfirst used 2016 or later	at most 0.4	86,194
Mercedes-Benz SLC	at most 0.5	35,306
Jaguar F-Type	at most 0.5	57,526
Land Rover Defenderfirst used 2020 or later	at most 0.5	39,776
BMW 6 Series	at most 0.5	89,667
BMW X6	at most 0.5	61,274
Audi A7	at most 0.6	67,548
BMW X2	at most 0.6	68,516
Porsche Cayenne	at most 0.6	118,942
Audi Q7	at most 0.6	191,601
Suzuki Celerio	at most 0.6	110,627
Ford Mustang	at most 0.6	40,094
Mercedes-Benz S-Class	at most 0.6	107,268
BMW 7 Series	at most 0.6	72,995
BMW X5	at most 0.6	366,311
Porsche Boxster	at most 0.6	129,291
Porsche Cayman	at most 0.7	59,394
BMW 5 Series	at most 0.7	849,601
Mercedes-Benz GLE	at most 0.7	113,268
Mercedes-Benz E-Class	at most 0.7	964,062
Mercedes-Benz CLS	at most 0.7	97,895
Volkswagen Up	at most 0.7	501,026

16 more models

Model	Times as often	Tests (n)
Fiat Ducato	at most 0.7	272,846
MINI Countryman	at most 0.7	415,833
Audi A8	at most 0.7	44,414
Skoda Citigo	at most 0.7	210,005
BMW 4 Series	at most 0.7	417,430
Volkswagen California	at most 0.7	37,172
Mercedes-Benz GLC	at most 0.7	298,696
Vauxhall Viva	at most 0.7	154,054
BMW X1	at most 0.7	414,040
Peugeot Boxer	at most 0.7	203,202
Audi A6	at most 0.7	510,103
BMW X4	at most 0.7	65,595
Mercedes-Benz SLK	at most 0.7	227,766
Jeep Compassfirst used 2017 or later	at most 0.7	31,820
Skoda Karoq	at most 0.7	184,189
Audi Q5	at most 0.7	422,669

Read this with care. A fail rate is not a measure of build quality. How far cars are driven, how they are used and how well owners maintain them all change it, and wear items such as tyres and brake pads are common fails. Compare a model only with cars of the same age. Methodology and limits.

Other repairs

Exterior bulb replacement£3.99 median
Tyre replacement£87.05 median
Headlight alignmentlabour rate
Coil spring replacementlabour rate
Wiper blade replacement£9.99 median
Handbrake repairlabour rate
Suspension ball joint replacementlabour rate
Anti-roll bar link replacementlabour rate
Headlight bulb replacement£3.99 median
Engine warning light diagnosislabour rate
Screenwash top-uplabour rate
Suspension arm bush replacementlabour rate
CV boot replacementlabour rate
Track rod end replacementlabour rate
Brake disc and pad replacementlabour rate
Shock absorber replacementlabour rate
Corrosion welding repairlabour rate
Binding brake repairlabour rate
Washer system repairlabour rate
Exhaust repair£212.09 median
Emissions fail repairlabour rate
Brake pipe replacementlabour rate
ABS warning light repairlabour rate
Airbag warning light repairlabour rate
Brake imbalance repairlabour rate
Wheel bearing replacementlabour rate
Tyre pressure sensor replacementlabour rate
Horn repairlabour rate
Number plate replacementlabour rate
Exhaust mounting repairlabour rate
Wheel nut or bolt replacementlabour rate
Steering rack gaiter replacementlabour rate
Brake efficiency repairlabour rate
Headlight mounting repairlabour rate
Headlight unit replacementlabour rate
Headlight lens restorationlabour rate
Swivel pin replacementlabour rate

All repair costs All MOT defects

Buying a used car?

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Source

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data, class 4 normal MOT tests, 2022 to 2025, and the MOT inspection manual published on GOV.UK. Prices: ONS consumer price inflation price quotes, September 2025 to August 2026, UK.

MOT data updated 28 September 2026. Prices updated 22 September 2026.

Not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA or the Office for National Statistics. How we calculate these figures · Data sources