5 Cheapest Places to Get Brakes Done 2023

When it comes to car maintenance, brakes are one of the most important aspects to consider. It’s no secret that brake repairs and services account for a large chunk of the overall auto repair cost. This means that finding the cheapest places to get your brakes done is essential if you want to save money on car maintenance.

Whether you have worn brake pads or if your brakes are squeaking, we’ll explore some of the top options for finding cheap brake services. We’ll also offer advice on ensuring you’re getting quality work at an unbeatable price.

So if you’re in need of brake services but want to save money in the process, read on! We’ll show you just how easy it can be to find the best deals for your car.

5 Cheapest Places to Get Brakes Done

When it comes to cheap places to get brakes done, Jiffy Lube, Midas, Pep Boys, and Firestone Complete Auto are some of the bigger chains that offer competitive prices for brake repair or services. But you might find the best rate at your local repair shop. Ensure you take advantage of promotions, discounts, or coupons.

Let’s take a closer look at the cheapest places to get brakes done:

1. Jiffy Lube

First on the list is Jiffy Lube. This well-known chain is one of the most recognizable names in auto repair, with convenient locations across the country that make it easy to find a shop no matter where you live. 

From brake pads to brake fluid, Jiffy Lube will provide the services you need to help keep your stopping power responsive and reliable – and get you back on the road quickly.

How Much Does A Brake Job Cost At Jiffy Lube?

At Jiffy lube, you can expect to pay around $250 to $300 per axle for a brake pad replacement and closer to $400 or more if you also need a rotor replacement. The cost can vary depending on many factors, and if you’re looking for additional services, you can expect to pay more.

Here are some of the services Jiffy Lube offers:

Brake Fluid Exchange:

  • Visual inspection of the brake system
  • Brake fluid replacement

Brake Inspection:

  • Visual inspection of the brake system
  • Brake pad measurement
  • Provided service recommendations

2. Midas

The second recommended place to get brakes done is Midas. With many locations scattered across the United States, Midas offers competitive prices and a wide variety of services. When taking your car to Midas for brake service, they first conduct a 55-point brake inspection to thoroughly examine your entire brake system.

Then they’ll take the time to explain your vehicle’s condition and recommend what has to be done. Before making any repairs, you’ll get a written estimate of the best options for your budget.

How Much Does A Brake Job Cost At Midas?

Midas is one of the cheaper places to get brakes done. On average, a brake pad replacement at Midas ranges from about $200 to $300 per axle, including rotor resurfacing. You can expect to pay around $400 per axle for a brake pad and rotor replacement. 

Keep in mind that these are cost estimates and can vary depending on many factors. 

Common brake services at Midas include:

  • Brake pad or brake shoe replacement
  • Brake rotor resurfacing or brake drum turning
  • Brake rotor or drum replacement
  • Brake fluid exchange or flushing
  • Brake line leak repair
  • Brake light diagnosis

3. Pep Boys

A wide variety of services make Pep Boys one of the top contenders when it comes to car maintenance deals. If you’re looking for one of the absolute best deals on brakes, Pep Boys is the place to go. They offer repairs and are also an auto parts retailer, which may give you the option to choose pads or rotors from a wider range of brands.

How Much Does A Brake Job Cost At Pep Boys?

At Pep Boys, a standard brake service usually costs around $200 to $300 per axle. This includes Wagner brake pads and installation, brake system inspection, and brake rotor/drums resurfacing. For a brake pad and rotor replacement, you can expect to pay between $350 and $450 per axle.

Keep in mind that these are cost estimates and can vary depending on many factors.

Pep Boys Standard Brake Service includes:

  • Wagner brake pads and installation
  • Brake system inspection
  • Resurfacing of brake rotor/drums
  • Lifetime brake pad/shoe warranty
  • 12-month / 12K mile labor warranty

Pep Boys Premium Brake Service includes:

  • Wagner brake pads and installation
  • Brake System inspection
  • Resurfacing system of brake rotor/drums
  • Brake fluid exchange
  • Lifetime brake pad/shoe warranty
  • 24-month / 24k mile labor warranty

4. Firestone Complete Auto Care

Firestone Complete Auto Care is a trusted name in auto care and has been around since 1926. They offer competitive pricing and provide quality service that you can rely on. 

Whether you’re looking for brake repair or replacement, Firestone Complete Auto Care might be one of the cheapest options. Plus, their staff are known for their friendly and knowledgeable encounter and will help guide you through the process. 

How Much Does A Brake Job Cost At Firestone?

The standard brake service at Firestone Complete Auto Care costs about $150 to $250 per axle. This usually includes a complete inspection, Wagner brake pads, and rotor resurfacing. If you need both a brake pad and rotor replacement, you can expect to pay around $400 per axle, including labor and parts.

Keep in mind that these are cost estimates and can vary depending on many factors.

Firestone Standard Brake Service includes:

  • Installation of new brake pads or shoes
  • Resurfacing or replacement of brake rotors or drums
  • Inspection of brake components
  • Lifetime parts warranty on brake pads and shoes and a 12-month, 12,000-mile labor warranty

Firestone Standard brake service with fluid exchange includes:

  • New brake pads or shoes installed
  • Brake components inspected
  • Brake rotors or drums resurfaced or replaced
  • Brake fluid exchange/bleeding brakes (which removes brake fluid contaminants and air)
  • Lifetime parts warranty for brake disc pads and shoes
  • 24,000-mile/24-month labor warranty

5. Local Repair Shop

With all these big sharks mentioned above, it’s easy to forget about your local repair shop when looking for the cheapest place to get brakes done. But if you’re looking for a more personalized experience and the price is your main concern, visiting a local repair shop might be your best bet. 

You’ll be able to talk directly with the technician and ask questions about services offered and cost estimates, making it easy to find an affordable solution without sacrificing quality service or parts.

It’s advisable to ask friends and family if they have preferred places to take their vehicle. Don’t forget to ask for discounts or special offers.

How Much Does A Complete Brake Job Cost?

This is a question that has many answers. First, the cost of a complete brake job will vary depending on the vehicle you drive and where you choose to have the work done. Depending on who you ask, you’ll also get a different answer to what’s included in a complete brake job.

Generally speaking, if you go to your local repair shop or even the cheapest place to get brakes done, expect to pay around $300-$500 per axle for a full-service job. This includes new brake pads, rotors, and labor costs. Of course, prices may change based on parts availability and other factors.

But if you, in addition to this, have to replace the brake calipers, you may have to pay closer to $800 per axle. Thankfully brake calipers are expected to last as long as your vehicle.

But realistically speaking, they usually last around 75,000 to 100,000 miles. However, as with any other part, they may have to be replaced sooner for various reasons.

How to Choose the Cheapest Place to Get Brakes Done

Getting reliable and quality brake service without breaking the bank can be daunting. Still, with a little research, it’s possible to get great value without compromising on your vehicle’s repairs. 

Here are five tips you can use to find the best deal on brakes:

  • Ask Around: Talk to friends and family who have recently had their brakes repaired, and find out where they went and how much they paid. If someone has had a good experience, chances are you will too!
  • Compare Cost Estimates – Before heading to a repair shop, consider getting several cost estimates from different providers. This will give you an idea of what you’ll have to pay and help you compare options so you can make the most informed decision.
  • Read Customer Reviews – Checking customer reviews is one of the best ways to assess service quality and get an idea of past prices. Look at reviews of local auto repair shops to see what kind of experiences other customers have had, both good and bad.
  • Research Quality Parts – Not all parts are created equal, and choosing better quality components may save money in the long run if they last longer or need fewer repairs. Do some research beforehand on recommended brands so that you can make sure you’re getting top-notch parts.
  • Take Advantage of Seasonal Promotions & Discounts – Repair shops often offer special promotions or discounts throughout the year, so check around and see when it might be best to schedule service for your car.
  • Use Coupons & Loyalty Programs – Many repair shops also offer loyalty programs and coupons. Check this beforehand and take advantage of these to get discounts on services or extra benefits like free oil changes or inspections.

Moving on, we want to recommend the importance of asking questions when looking for the cheapest place to get brakes done.

Tips on Questions to Ask the Repair Shop 

Being the cheapest doesn’t always mean they actually are. It all comes down to what’s included. That’s why asking questions is key when it comes to making the best decision. 

Consider inquiring about the type of brakes they use, the price of the repair, how long it normally takes, and if any warranties or guarantees come with the service. 

Doing this will help you make sure you get the best deal and quality service. Plus, you can compare the different auto repair shops and their offerings. So, don’t be afraid to ask questions!

There are many questions you can ask to fit your needs. Here are a few we picked out:

  • Do you offer any discounts or specials on brake repair services?
  • Do you offer a warranty on your brake repair services?
  • What type of brake parts do you typically use for repairs?
  • Are there any fees associated with the brake repair service?
  • What is the estimated time needed to complete the brake repair?
  • Can you provide me with an estimate for the brake repair cost?
  • Are there any additional services that come with the brake repair?
  • Are there any additional fees or taxes I should be aware of?
  • Do you offer a loaning vehicle while my car is being repaired?

What Is Normally Included in a Brake Job?

A complete brake job typically involves a rigorous evaluation of the entire braking system to ascertain its components’ condition. After the inspection, necessary repairs and replacements are recommended to bring the brakes back to optimum operating conditions, allowing for safe driving. 

This can include replacing brake pads/shoes, resurfacing or replacing rotors/drums, hardware replacement, rebuilding or replacing calipers or wheel cylinders, and replacing hoses, lines, or the master cylinder if it leaks.

The condition of the brake fluid is also checked and replaced if necessary, and the parking brake is checked and adjusted. Finally, a test drive is conducted to “bed in” the new components. 

All of these steps, when taken together, provide an intricate, complex, and perplexing process that ensures your brakes are carefully and meticulously restored to proper working order.

Here’s the typical process of a brake service:

  1. The technician will inspect the entire brake system to determine the condition of all its components.
  2. Depending on what you have agreed upon. Before starting, the technician will give you recommendations for any repairs and replacements necessary to restore brakes to proper operating conditions for safe driving.
  3. The technician will install new brake pads/shoes
  4. Resurfacing or replacement of rotors/drums
  5. Replacement of hardware
  6. Rebuild or replacement of calipers or wheel cylinders
  7. Replacement of rusty or leaking hoses, lines, or master cylinder.
  8. Inspection of the brake fluid and replacement.
  9. Checking and adjustment of the parking brake
  10. Test drive to “bed in” the new components

When you consider all these components involved in a complete brake job – from disassembling and reassembling your vehicle’s brakes to replacing worn parts – it’s clear there’s quite a bit involved in this type of service.

It’s important to find an experienced mechanic who can do the job right so you can have peace of mind when you hit the road again!

How Long Does a Brake Job Take?

Depending on the type of vehicle and who’s doing it, a brake job can take anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours to replace the brake pads and rotors. On average, you can expect it to take one to two hours per axle. When replacing the brake caliper, you must account for bleeding the brakes.

If you have questions about how long your specific brake job should take, don’t hesitate to ask the mechanic before they start work. That way, you’ll understand what they plan to do and how long it will take – so there won’t be any surprises when it comes time to pay the bill!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Cheaper To Do Your Own Brakes?

Doing your own brakes is cheaper, saving you about a hundred dollars per axle for a pad and rotor replacement. But you have to consider that it can be a tricky and time-consuming task depending on your level of skill and that you won’t get the benefits of warranties that many mechanics offer.

How Much Does a Normal Brake Job Cost?

The average cost of a normal brake job usually comes down to about $200 to $350 per axle for brake pad replacement. This often includes the pads, installation, and rotor resurfacing. If you also need to replace the rotors, you can add about $100 per axle. Of course, any additional services need to be considered.

Does Walmart Offer Cheap Brake Jobs?

Walmart is known for offering a wide range of cheap auto repair and maintenance services. But unfortunately, Walmart does not currently offer brake services such as brake checks, brake pad replacement, etc. However, you can still purchase low-cost brake parts at Walmart if you are interested in doing the job yourself.

Are My Brakes Covered By a Warranty?

Suppose you replace your brakes at a professional auto repair shop. In that case, you can often rest assured that there’s a warranty on the parts and labor. However, to ensure this is the case, you will want to ask about it before the repair. The length of the warranty might also be in your interest.

Final Thoughts

Having your brakes done can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. Researching different places and comparing prices can help you find the best deal for your brake job. From national chains like Jiffy Lube or Midas to local repair shops, plenty of options are available for getting your brakes serviced.

The old adage “you get what you pay for” is no truer than when it comes to getting your brakes fixed. While it may be tempting to choose the cheapest option, doing so may mean sacrificing quality workmanship or using inferior parts that won’t last as long as higher-quality ones. Always read reviews online and ask questions before committing to a particular shop to ensure you get the most bang for your buck.

You can save money on your brake job without sacrificing quality or safety by taking a few extra steps and doing some research ahead of time. No matter where you choose to get your brakes done, ensure you get an experienced technician who uses high-quality parts and equipment. That way, you can rest assured knowing that your car will be in safe hands and ready to hit the road in no time!

SOURCES

https://nubrakes.com/blog/brake-pad-replacement-costs/

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Rickard Cefalk

Rickard is the owner of Caraspect.com and a dedicated and avid do-it-yourselfer who has always enjoyed working on his own vehicles since childhood. He now devotes his time to sharing his expert knowledge of car maintenance and other car-related information through his website.

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