Cheapest Places to Get Your Brakes Done

Everyone has been there; they’re driving along, and all of a sudden you hear a loud squeaking sound as you press the brakes. If you’re lucky, only the brake pads need to be replaced, and you don’t have to worry about the rotors or calipers. For the unlucky, you might be dealing with broken calipers or damaged rotors that need to be repaired or replaced. Unfortunately, all of these things cost money, so it’s important to find the cheapest places to get your brakes done if you want to protect your wallet.

The good news is that you have options. While you can change your brakes yourself, it’s hard to know if it’s just the pads, calipers, or rotors, so we recommend taking your vehicle to a professional. Read on to learn our top five picks for the cheapest places to change your brakes.

How Much Does it Cost to Change Your Brakes?

Before you look into some of the best options to change your brakes for a good price, it’s important to consider how much a brake repair job should cost to begin with. On average, expect to pay around $200 to $500 per axle for brake repairs. The type of work determines how much it costs. For example, replacing calipers and rotors costs more than replacing the brakes.

What Are the Cheapest Places to Change Your Brake?

The cheapest places to change your brakes are usually part of a franchise. For example, Pep Boys has hundreds of stores across the United States and functions as a parts store and repair shop. That said, don’t write off your local mechanic just yet. Take a look at some of the best cheap places to have your brakes done below.

When Should You Replace Your Brake Pads?

Brakes are built to last, but they won’t last forever. By design, brake pads will wear down over time because of the heat created by friction when they press against the rotor. On average, brake pads will last for 10,000 to 20,000 miles depending on how you drive. If you have a heavy foot and slam on the brakes often, your pads will wear down faster. Also, if you drive a manual, make sure you downshift properly as you’re coming to a stop to prolong the life of your brake pads.

It’s also important to note that high-performance brake pads will last longer. For example, a Brembo set can last for 50,000 miles if you don’t abuse it. These brakes are usually found in sports cars and luxury vehicles.

When Should You Replace Your Rotors?

Rotors don’t need to be replaced as often as your brakes. Instead, you want to replace them once they’re worn down. While they wear down over time, they’re made with durable materials that help them last for up to 100,000 miles. Some high-performance rotors may even last for well over 100,000 miles because they’re built to handle the high temperatures that stopping at high speeds creates.

What Are the Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Brakes?

Replacing your brake pads can be done every 10,000 to 20,000 miles, but that doesn’t mean they can’t fail faster or last longer. Therefore, you should look for some of the signs that it’s time to replace your brakes. Learn more about the warning signs below.

Increased Stopping Time

The most obvious sign that it’s time to replace your brakes is if it’s getting harder to stop your vehicle. You may notice this subtly at first, but eventually, you’ll have to brake sooner to stop without hitting something. Once this happens, replace your brake pads immediately.

Squeaking When Stopping

The first sign that it’s time to replace your brake pads is that your vehicle is squeaking when you come to a stop. Once your brake pads are squeaking, they are at less than 5% and need to be replaced to avoid damage to your rotors. The only time this is acceptable is if you have high-performance brake pads with drilled and slotted rotors that have just been exposed to moisture.

Burning Smell

Another sign that it’s time to replace your brake pads is a burning smell when you step on the brakes. While it’s okay to notice a slight burning smell if you just replaced the brake pads, this is not the case for brakes that have been on the car for several thousand miles. The burning smell is a sign that your brake pads are worn down and the friction is heating the rotor or causing the pads to wear down even faster.

Car Won’t Roll Forward in Gear

Many people believe that a transmission failure is the only thing that can cause a car to not roll forward in gear. While this is possible, sometimes a damaged caliper can lock into the rotor and make it difficult for your car to start rolling forward in drive. Calipers may sustain damage over time, but this usually happens if you ignore worn-down brakes.

The Top 5 Cheapest Places to Change Your Brakes

Tons of cheap places are available to change your brakes, but that doesn’t mean you should choose just any place. You want to make sure they do a good job, have great reviews, and, most importantly, offer competitive pricing.

1). Jiffy Lube

Jiffy Lube is one of the best places to have your brakes changed. The cost varies depending on the type of brake pad and if you need rotors, but expect to pay about $250 to $300 per axle if you want to change just the brake pads. On the other hand, expect to pay $400 to $500 if you need to replace a brake rotor or caliper along with the brakes.

Some Jiffy Lube locations may also offer a discounted price if you replace the brakes on all four wheels, so keep this in mind when considering a brake change.

Jiffy Lube also provides several other services including:

Visual brake inspection
Changing brake fluid
Providing recommendations for service
Measuring brake pads

Depending on your vehicle, the price range for these inspections and quick repairs is usually less than $100.

2). Midas

Midas is another great option if you’re looking for a cheap brake pad or rotor replacement. It’s one of the most popular brake replacement options with more than 2,000 locations spread out across the globe. The company has also been in business for more than 60 years and has maintained a great reputation for oil changes and brake pad replacement.

Midas is also one of the cheapest options when it comes to the cost of a brake pad replacement. They give you a free 55-point inspection and then charge around $250 per axle to change the brake pads. Aside from changing the brake pads, Midas can also replace brake rotors and calipers for around $400 per axle.

Midas also provides some other services for your brake system that include:

Changing the brake fluid
Replacing brake lines
Checking the pad life on brakes
Diagnosing brake pad light problems
Replacing brake drums

Depending on the location, you may even be able to find other services from Midas.

3). Pep Boys

Pep Boys is one of the largest automotive service companies in the United States. With more than 8,000 service bays and 900 locations across the US and Puerto Rico, there’s bound to be a Pep Boys service center near you.

Aside from brake repairs and replacement, Pep Boys is also an auto parts retailer. This means that you can do all of your brake shopping there as well, which makes it easy to get everything you need in one convenient place. Plus, you can choose the parts that they add to your vehicle.

When it comes to the cost of brake service at Pep Boys, the price is similar to other locations. You’re looking at about $250 per axle for brake pad replacement and $400 per axle if you need brake pads and new rotors. If you need new calipers, brakes, and rotors, expect to pay about $600.

Pep Boys also offers other services that include:

Inspection of your brake system
Brake fluid exchange
Resurfacing rotors and drums
Changing the oil and oil filter
Replacing air intakes
Changing air filters

Pep Boys also offers premium service options that include a 24-month warranty and 24-thousand mile labor warranty. A 12-month and 12k mileage warranty are also available on regular brake work.

4). Firestone Complete Auto Care

Firestone is one of the oldest companies around when it comes to car repair and service. The company has been in service since 1926 and continues to deliver high-quality work. Firestone Complete Auto Care is also known for having a friendly staff, good management, and reliable customer service. This means that you can get help easily if something goes wrong.

Firestone Complete Auto Care is also affordable when it comes to brake replacement costs. In fact, Firestone is one of the cheapest possible options, with some brake pad jobs only costing $150 for an entire axle. That said, it typically costs between $200 and $250 when you shop with Firestone. Furthermore, Firestone offers a lifetime warranty on brake pads and shoes. Plus, if you need new disc brakes, the company will warranty the parts for 24,000 miles or 24 months, whichever happens first.

Firestone Complete Auto Care also provides some other services that can keep your car on the road like:

Oil changes
Surfacing brake rotors
Replacing brake fluid
Inspection of brake pad components

These services are available at most locations across the United States.

5). Mavis Discount Tire

Mavis Discount Tire is a popular tire service shop in the United States. The company is well-known for replacing tires, repairing tires, and helping people choose the best possible tires. Mavis Discount Tire has been around since 1972, and the company has been replacing tires and helping people maintain their cars for more than 50 years.

Mavis Discount Tire is one of the most affordable options when it comes to brake pads and brake rotors. In fact, they typically have a promotion where they’ll give you new brake pads for only $200 per axle. Additionally, Mavis Discount Tire also has specials where brake rotors and pads will cost $300 per axle. This is tough to beat, even by some of the other shops on this list. The only reason we don’t have them ranked higher is because their repair options are more limited.

Mavis Discount Tire also offers other services like:

Tire repair
Wheel alignment
Replacing tires
Repairing brake lines
Oil changes

Depending on your Mavis location, it’s also possible to get other work done or you might find better deals on repairs.

Bonus Option: Your Local Car Mechanic

When it comes to getting a cheap brake pad and rotor replacement, sometimes you can’t beat your local mechanic. Sometimes, your local shop may charge you for about an hour of labor and the parts, which could be about $300 per axle. When it comes to the quality of work, many independent mechanic shops are often better than franchises because they make relationships with their recurring customers. Therefore, once you build a relationship, your mechanic may offer to do your brakes for less.

It’s also important to note that your local mechanic is likely able to do a more comprehensive job. They may offer additional services that include bleeding the brakes, replacing brake lines, or installing high-performance brake options of your choice. Plus, they can do just about anything if you need more than brake work. For some, the convenience of one-stop shopping makes it worth the price.

How to Choose the Best Cheapest Place to Get Your Brakes Done

When you’re shopping for the cheapest places to change your brakes, there are many factors to consider. These can be based on your location, available coupons, and even the parts that a brake shop uses. Learn about some of the best ways to choose the best brake replacement options.

Compare and Estimate Costs

The most important thing you have to do when shopping for new brakes at low prices is compare the prices. While we covered many of the average costs for brake replacement, some shops may have a promotion going on or you might find lower prices at your local mechanic. For this reason, we recommend calling and asking about the cost of your specific repair.

If you want to get the most accurate prices, consider your brake needs. Dealing with a worn down and scratched rotor? Make sure you mention this when you ask about the cost of repair.

Research Quality Parts

Researching quality parts is essential if you want to make sure you’re getting good parts when you visit a repair shop. While it’s nice to get cheap brakes, don’t you want the parts to last for a while? To make sure you’re getting quality parts, take some time to read about the brake pads or brake parts that the company offers.

If you don’t like the parts they offer, speak up or ask if you can purchase the parts and have them install the brake pads or rotors; you’ll have better luck with this option at a local mechanic. Also, look for warranty information. Even if the parts aren’t the best, a two-year parts warranty isn’t a bad option.

Look at the Reviews

In this day and age, you have to look at the reviews if you want to know what you’re getting. Without checking the reviews, how will you know if a place does solid work? This is especially important for franchise locations because the service may vary based on the owner and staff of that location. Therefore, when looking at reviews of brake repair shops, always check the reviews for the location you plan on visiting. Still, it’s not a bad idea to get a general review of the company before wasting your time checking local listings.

Check for Coupons and Loyalty Programs

Many companies have loyalty programs or special deals around the holidays. These promotions may also include coupons that reduce the price of specific brake pads or rotors. For example, Mavis Discount Tire has a promotion for $99 brake pad replacement per wheel. This is one of the cheapest brake pad replacements available.

When it comes to loyalty programs, you’ll have to visit your local franchise for the current offerings. Some companies may offer packages or subscriptions, while others only need a phone number or email for you to get rewards after each visit. If managed properly, you can get your hands on some pretty cheap brakes this way.

Can You Change Your Brakes Yourself?

Yes, of course, you can change the brakes yourself. In fact, it’s possible to replace most things on your vehicle as long as you have the technical knowledge. That said, changing your brakes yourself is still expensive and can take more time than it’s worth, especially when you have access to some of the best cheap options.

Still, we have some cost estimates and steps below to help you get the job done.

How to Change Your Brakes

Changing your brakes can be done in a handful of steps, depending on what part of the brake system you need to replace. We’ll take you through the steps to replace your brakes below.

Put your vehicle in park and make sure you have it on a flat surface.
Look at your brake fluid level to see if you need to add more or to determine if you have a leak. If it’s full, you need to remove some fluid, or there might be an overflow.
Raise your vehicle and remove the wheel and tire from the car.
Disconnect the caliper from the rotor.
Remove the brake pads from the caliper.
Remove the rotor
Clean the mounting surface for your new rotor and wipe the new rotor down to remove any dust.
Install your new rotor.
Reconnect the caliper.
Inspect the brake lines for any leakage.

Once you’re done installing the brakes, make sure you focus on bleeding the brakes to get any air out of the system. You’ll need a buddy for this, or at least someone who can gently press the brake pedal.

Also, take your car for a light drive after changing your brakes for the best results and to see if they work properly.

How Much Does it Cost to Change Your Brakes Yourself?

Changing your brakes yourself is always going to be the more affordable option. This is because you don’t have to pay for labor; you’re only liable for the parts. That said, the cost of parts may vary, so expect to pay $20 to $50 for brake pads and around $100 for a new rotor. If you need to change the rotor and brake pads, you’ll be liable for about $120 to $150.

Keep in mind that your specific vehicle and brake kit can influence the cost of brake parts. For example, a modified car with a Brembo brake package is more expensive, and single pads may cost $100. This also applies to drilled and slotted rotors that may cost upwards of $200 to $250 a rotor.

Have Your Brakes Changed at Low Prices Today!

Nobody wants to spend hundreds of dollars on their vehicle’s brakes, and while you can save money, you still have to pay for parts and labor. The good news is that you don’t have to spend thousands on new brake pads, rotors, or calipers when you shop and have your brakes replaced at the cheapest places to have your brakes changed.

Some locations will vary based on where you live, and you might not have access to some options in your state, so keep this in mind when checking out your options. Also, don’t shy away from local mechanics; some local mechanics may even beat the bigger companies.

At the end of the day, take some time to evaluate your options and, most importantly, make sure the job gets done right.