Front Brake Pad Replacement
Replace front brake pads with new OEM or aftermarket pads. Includes inspection of rotors.
Front Brake Pad Replacement costs $150–$1,000 AUD in Australia in 2026, parts and labour included. Independent mechanics typically charge 30-40% less than dealers for the same job.
🔧 What Mechanics Don't Tell You
- Labour is the real variable. The same repair can cost 30-50% more at a dealer than an independent, purely on labour rate. Always ask for a written quote with labour hours itemised — if they won't itemise, walk away.
- Aftermarket parts are fine for most jobs. OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts carry a 30-60% premium. For non-safety-critical parts (pads, rotors, filters), reputable aftermarket brands (Bosch, Brembo, Sachs) perform identically for a fraction of the price.
- Get 3 quotes — the spread is real. We've seen the same job quoted from $400 to $1,800 across Brisbane shops. The cheapest quote is not always the best, but neither is the most expensive.
- If they won't itemise, walk away. A reputable mechanic will break down the quote into parts cost + labour hours + markup. If they give you a single round number, get a second opinion.
Cost by Brand (AUD)
| Brand | Total | Labour | Parts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chery | $150-$350 | $70-$150 | $50-$150 |
| MG | $160-$400 | $80-$200 | $0-$320 |
| Haval | $166-$415 | $80-$210 | $0-$335 |
| BYD | $170-$425 | $80-$210 | $0-$345 |
| GWM | $170-$425 | $80-$210 | $0-$345 |
| LDV | $176-$440 | $90-$220 | $0-$350 |
| Hyundai | $180-$450 | $80-$180 | $70-$220 |
| Suzuki | $180-$450 | $90-$220 | $0-$360 |
| Mitsubishi | $184-$460 | $90-$230 | $0-$370 |
| Kia | $186-$465 | $90-$230 | $0-$375 |
| Nissan | $196-$490 | $100-$240 | $0-$390 |
| Toyota | $200-$500 | $80-$200 | $80-$250 |
| Mazda | $200-$500 | $80-$200 | $80-$250 |
| Honda | $204-$510 | $100-$260 | $0-$410 |
| isuzu | $210-$525 | $100-$260 | $0-$425 |
| Subaru | $216-$540 | $110-$270 | $0-$430 |
| Jeep | $224-$560 | $110-$280 | $0-$450 |
| Skoda | $230-$575 | $120-$290 | $0-$455 |
| Ford | $230-$575 | $120-$290 | $0-$455 |
| ram | $240-$600 | $120-$300 | $0-$480 |
| renault | $244-$610 | $120-$300 | $0-$490 |
| Volkswagen | $250-$625 | $120-$310 | $0-$505 |
| peugeot | $250-$625 | $120-$310 | $0-$505 |
| lexus | $270-$675 | $140-$340 | $0-$535 |
| volvo | $280-$700 | $140-$350 | $0-$560 |
| Audi | $300-$750 | $150-$380 | $0-$600 |
| BMW | $310-$775 | $160-$390 | $0-$615 |
| Mercedes-Benz | $320-$800 | $160-$400 | $0-$640 |
| land-rover | $340-$850 | $170-$420 | $0-$680 |
| porsche | $400-$1000 | $200-$500 | $0-$800 |
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Get My Free Quotes →Tips
- ✓Replace pads in pairs (both front)
- ✓Check rotors for wear - may need resurfacing
- ✓Use OEM pads for best braking performance
DIY Estimate
This repair can be done at home in approximately 3 hours. You'll save on labour costs ($70-150 in labour).
You'll still need to buy parts: approximately $50-150 for parts.
Tools You'll Need:
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Illustrative Example: Two Corolla Brake Jobs, 3x Price Difference
To illustrate the price spread our data reveals: two 2014 Toyota Corolla owners in Melbourne both need front brake pad replacement. Based on typical workshop pricing, Owner A visiting a dealer in Camberwell might pay around $485 (OEM pads, machined rotors, road test). Owner B using an independent workshop in Sunshine might pay around $160 (aftermarket pads, rotors inspected and passed). The identical job, similar pad wear, a 3x price gap. Neither quote is unreasonable — the dealer uses genuine Toyota parts and includes a 12-month warranty; the independent uses quality aftermarket pads with a 6-month warranty. The lesson for brake work specifically: always ask which brand of pads they are quoting (Bendix, TRW, Bosch and OEM Toyota can differ by $80-$120 per axle) and whether rotor machining is included or extra.
Our data across 30 brands shows brake pad replacement is the most frequently quoted repair in Australia — but also the most variable. The average front brake pad job costs $188-$410 (independent) or $320-$650 (dealer), with European brands running 50-80% above Japanese/Korean equivalents.
— Bo Qi, automotive data engineer. How we calculate.
Check Your Local Repair Cost
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