What’s the right price for brake pad replacement?

[s2bear]

2022 4Mo Ocean 204 DSG, 40k miles (on a long interval service plan but I got an Oil Change service every year so far anyway)… it’s starting to get expensive.

Have been quoted around £340 for rear brake pads (not discs), got a competing quote from Halfords auto centre round the corner at £297.

The briefest of online searches shows Brembo rear pads are around £37 for a set…. What in the name of Waitrose Chalfont St Giles is going on?

Also been quoted for the necessary:

Brake fluid replacement £150 (same Halfords £49)
Haldex Service 150
DSG service 350
Inspection SVC 309
Major SVC - don’t yet know as the dealer is telling me I also need one of those instead of inspection / oil change service because they want to change the pollen filter I think.

I flip between competent and incompetent - can easy swap Air and pollen filters myself but I’ve ruptured the tendons in my left arm so changing rear pads myself is off the menu for the moment.

I’m struggling to get my head round handing over £1,100-1,200 for a mostly routine service on a 2.0 diesel ‘van’.

Do you think perhaps they think I mean ‘Ferrari California’ or they’re having to make up for lost revenue because we’re no longer all being scaremongered into changing cambelts every 10 minutes?

Thought I was in line for a cheeky £800 ish


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[Meoncoast]

I have only ever had brakes gone by one of the quick fit firms. however always ask for branded make parts(Brembo) Only had brakefluid change at the same time when in for pad and disk time. I always had service plan but when advised by VW that brake work or air con work service I required work via 3rd party.

 

[sidepod]

Don’t hate the player as they say. If people pay those prices then I take my hat off to VW.

 

[Lost Boy]

2022 4Mo Ocean 204 DSG, 40k miles (on a long interval service plan but I got an Oil Change service every year so far anyway)… it’s starting to get expensive.

Have been quoted around £340 for rear brake pads (not discs), got a competing quote from Halfords auto centre round the corner at £297.

The briefest of online searches shows Brembo rear pads are around £37 for a set…. What in the name of Waitrose Chalfont St Giles is going on?

Also been quoted for the necessary:

Brake fluid replacement £150 (same Halfords £49)
Haldex Service 150
DSG service 350
Inspection SVC 309
Major SVC - don’t yet know as the dealer is telling me I also need one of those instead of inspection / oil change service because they want to change the pollen filter I think.

I flip between competent and incompetent - can easy swap Air and pollen filters myself but I’ve ruptured the tendons in my left arm so changing rear pads myself is off the menu for the moment.

I’m struggling to get my head round handing over £1,100-1,200 for a mostly routine service on a 2.0 diesel ‘van’.

Do you think perhaps they think I mean ‘Ferrari California’ or they’re having to make up for lost revenue because we’re no longer all being scaremongered into changing cambelts every 10 minutes?

Thought I was in line for a cheeky £800 ish


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I had the same a few weeks back, its a ridiculous price as you say when the pads are like £40. Even the Halfords (Halfrauds) price is ridiculous, I'm considering a Kwik Fit option as they will change the pads for as many times as necessary whilst you still own the van. Did that o my GF's Kia Stonic and its been great, no issues.

As for the rest, I bought the All In Plan recently which I think is good value with 2 years warrantee and breakdown and MOT and Service, but obviously still need to pay for the other items like DSG oil and Haldex etc. Just had my DSG oil changed and was just under £350.

 

[colintfcolintf]

Don’t hate the player as they say. If people pay those prices then I take my hat off to VW.

Trouble is most of the volume that these commercial VW centres see are probably leased business vehicles were the bills just get paid - we are a small % of their business but still expected to pay the same rates for labour etc etc

 

[chockswahay]

Find an independent who you feel you can trust……… I had my front discs and pads fitted by a local VW independent (I bought the discs and pads myself) for £60

 

[Norwichcamper]

My 2017 ocean had all pads and discs done last week as part of the MOT, cost all in for all 4 £700 approx which didn’t think was too bad. I did not get those done at the man dealer where it was in for the MOT but my local garage I use for car repairs. I did not even ask the main dealer for a price.

I had been using the man dealer as part of the service record continuity but following an experience concerning two seat belts which did not retract properly, (they did, one maybe a bit sticky at worst, the rear I don’t think they had the rear bench seat fully up in spite of me asking) I am in two minds around continuing to use them. I was quoted £1300 to replace these but both worked after a bit of cleaning with wd40 and the bench moved to fully upright! God bless google!

 

[Perfectos]

There is nothing special about the brakes on a Cali .

There are thousands of really good local garages that will happily change a set of pads for one hours labour + parts and consumables

labour should be IRO £50 - £100 per hour

IMO Therefore one set (front or rear) pads changed IRO £100 - £150 including quality pads
& provide you with a detailed invoice showing the cost of part and labour

Edit:
Here is the costs I paid one week ago

The oil service £210.
Fitting the rear brake pads supplied by me, £100
changing the brake fluid and performing an ABS system bleed £60
rear brake discs supplied by me: labour cost to fit new discs £38.40.

This was an indi located in Buckinghamshire

 

[sidepod]

I wonder if we can make a whole week without a “brake (spelt correctly for a change) pad price “ thread posting. Is the search button broken?

 

[pjm-84]

Dont worry.....dropped my Volvo in for replacement auxiliary belt and tensioner on Monday.

Two new rear tyres required (incorrect as a small bit of screw was wedged in the tread block (like a stone) , whilst an oval nail had gone through a tread block - one removed with fingers / the other with long nose pliers )

Rear pads and discs at the next service recommended £662 .....Lol

 

[Lost Boy]

I wonder if we can make a whole week without a “brake (spelt correctly for a change) pad price “ thread posting. Is the search button broken?

f*** me, anyone might think that this is forum for like minded individuals, if you don't want to engage with a thread then don't!

 

[s2bear]

I wonder if we can make a whole week without a “brake (spelt correctly for a change) pad price “ thread posting. Is the search button broken?

Be honest, did you double check whether to type spelt or spelled in reference to a spelling issue about breaking brakes?
I think we should keep the one a week going.


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[s2bear]

I’m still in warranty so if anyone cares I’ve been quoted
£1,095 by one VW dealer for

Oil change service
DSG service
Haldex Service
Rear pads
Change Brake Fluid


And the nearest VW dealer quoted me [drum roll] £1,462 for the same work.

Ironically both dealers said they couldn’t do it any cheaper because it’s “VW menu pricing”
obviously one is A La Carte and the other is Menu Prix Fixe.
I’m doing the OAP Tuesday Special next year!


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[pjm-84]

£1462 is taking the mick.......

 

[barney108vwcali]

my brake fluid change August 2025 was £72 including vat at Vw main dealer

 

[colintfcolintf]

I’m still in warranty so if anyone cares I’ve been quoted
£1,095 by one VW dealer for

Oil change service
DSG service
Haldex Service
Rear pads
Change Brake Fluid


And the nearest VW dealer quoted me [drum roll] £1,462 for the same work.

Ironically both dealers said they couldn’t do it any cheaper because it’s “VW menu pricing”
obviously one is A La Carte and the other is Menu Prix Fixe.
I’m doing the OAP Tuesday Special next year!


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Where was the 1095 dealer? And did it include VAT ?

 

[colintfcolintf]

Find an independent who you feel you can trust……… I had my front discs and pads fitted by a local VW independent (I bought the discs and pads myself) for £60

Who do you use if you don’t mind me asking ?

 

[s2bear]

Where was the 1095 dealer? And did it include VAT ?

Sussex and yes incl vat.


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[s2bear]

£1462 is taking the mick.......

West london for you.


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[Kev56]

£1462 is taking the mick.......

Taking a bit more than that.

 

[chockswahay]

Who do you use if you don’t mind me asking ?

VW Specialist in Cornwall

I have just had front discs and pads replaced by VW Rich (in Bolingey near Perranporth). He is ex VW and gave me a very fair price for the job. As it happened I supplied the components (from Nutexa who I also recommend) and Rich fitted them for me. This was a win for me, Rich, and Nutexa and...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

 

[TripleBee]

I bought discs and pads front and rear from Autodoc for €230. I replaced the front brakes last week. Now I am replacing the rear brakes.
Not too bad after 16 years and over 217500km.

 

[WelshGas]

Aren't those prices quoted by the OP an indication of the premium paid in Kahn's London fiefdom?

 

[pchmlk]

Aren't those prices quoted by the OP an indication of the premium paid in Kahn's London fiefdom?

Nope.

 

[Ocean Wanderer]

I

There is nothing special about the brakes on a Cali .

There are thousands of really good local garages that will happily change a set of pads for one hours labour + parts and consumables

labour should be IRO £50 - £100 per hour

IMO Therefore one set (front or rear) pads changed IRO £100 - £150 including quality pads
& provide you with a detailed invoice showing the cost of part and labour

Edit:
Here is the costs I paid one week ago

The oil service £210.
Fitting the rear brake pads supplied by me, £100
changing the brake fluid and performing an ABS system bleed £60
rear brake discs supplied by me: labour cost to fit new discs £38.40.

This was an indi located in Buckinghamshire

I live in the same area so I’m Interested to know name of garage you used if you don’t mind sharing