One of the most important parts of maintaining your vehicle involves making sure the brakes always work as they should. While it is essential, it can also be costly. The first question most drivers have when they take their car to the shop is, “How much do brakes cost?” It is a lot more intensive than a standard VIN lookup, so get ready to spend a pretty penny when you need entirely new brakes installed.
The Fluctuating Price of New Brakes
There is no set answer for how much new brakes will set you back. There are numerous factors that come into play. The most significant one involves what exactly you need to do to your brakes. If you just need a simple brake pad replacement, then you can expect to pay somewhere between $35 and $150 to replace them on all four wheels. Combined with the price of labor, and you could be looking at spending between $115 and $270 for each axle.
Brake pads are one thing, but the price only increases if you also need new calipers. Calipers are far more difficult and costly to replace. A single caliper replacement can cost as much as $130. When all is said and done, you could end up spending over $1,000 for a complete brake job. With this in mind, you need to do yourself a favor and seek out brake repairs as soon as you notice a problem. Fixing an issue before it escalates could end up saving you hundreds of dollars in the long run.
Additional Factors That Influence the Cost of New Brakes
Different mechanics will charge different prices. Therefore, it works in your favor to call around your town to see who offers the best price. The one thing you want to keep in mind is that you do not want to compromise on quality. One shop may offer a great price, but it has dismal reviews online. A poor brake replacement will only cost you more over the years, so make sure you hire someone who can get it right the first time.
You also need to consider the type of vehicle you drive. Domestic or Japanese-made cars have parts that tend to cost less than European-made vehicles, which include Jaguar, Audi, Mercedes and BMW. Finally, you have to consider the kind of brake pad you want to install. They can be constructed out of different materials, including semi-metallic, ceramic or organic. All of these perform differently, and they all come with various price tags. When looking at new brake pads, you also want to consider whether to purchase an aftermarket or OEM component.
The Final Cost
You can save yourself quite a bit of money if you know how to replace brakes on your own. It takes some skill, but most people can learn how to do it with enough training and patience. Once you know how to do it, you can purchase all of the materials you need from your local auto parts shop. Start searching online today so that you get a better idea of what you can expect to spend.
