brake caliper replacement

Get the best price for your car's brake caliper replacement with Fixter

Part of
Renault
FixieDouble line

How much does a brake caliper replacement cost in 2024?

A typical Brake caliper replacement - driver side (front) cost in the UK is around £134 - £225.

Depending on your car brand, model and engine, and whether you live in a big city or a small one, the price of a Brake caliper replacement - driver side (front) on your vehicle can be higher or lower.

Brake caliper replacement - driver side (rear) costs on average £136 - £237.

Brake caliper replacement - passenger side (front) costs on average £134 - £225.

Brake caliper replacement - passenger side (rear) costs on average £136 - £237.

Car modelFixter price range
Brake caliper replacement - driver side (front) for Ford Fiesta£136 - £214
Brake caliper replacement - driver side (rear) for Ford Fiesta£143 - £225
Brake caliper replacement - passenger side (front) for Ford Fiesta£136 - £214
Brake caliper replacement - passenger side (rear) for Ford Fiesta£143 - £225
Brake caliper replacement - driver side (front) for Volkswagen Polo£134 - £211
Brake caliper replacement - driver side (rear) for Volkswagen Polo£136 - £214
Brake caliper replacement - passenger side (front) for Volkswagen Polo£134 - £211
Brake caliper replacement - passenger side (rear) for Volkswagen Polo£136 - £214
Brake caliper replacement - driver side (front) for Vauxhall Corsa£143 - £225
Brake caliper replacement - driver side (rear) for Vauxhall Corsa£136 - £214
Brake caliper replacement - passenger side (front) for Vauxhall Corsa£143 - £225
Brake caliper replacement - passenger side (rear) for Vauxhall Corsa£136 - £214
Brake caliper replacement - driver side (front) for BMW 3 Series£143 - £225
Brake caliper replacement - driver side (rear) for BMW 3 Series£151 - £237
Brake caliper replacement - passenger side (front) for BMW 3 Series£143 - £225
Brake caliper replacement - passenger side (rear) for BMW 3 Series£151 - £237
Brake caliper replacement - driver side (front) for Audi A4£134 - £211
Brake caliper replacement - driver side (rear) for Audi A4£150 - £236
Brake caliper replacement - passenger side (front) for Audi A4£134 - £211
Brake caliper replacement - passenger side (rear) for Audi A4£150 - £236

Save up to 30% with Fixter

What's included in a brake caliper replacement?

What's included
Brake Caliper Replacement
Key Safety Component
Contact-free collection & delivery
No additional work without your approval
We only use manufacturer parts or equivalent
All parts and labour are protected with our Fixter 12-month warranty

Don’t just take our word for it

What does a brake caliper do?

Brake calipers are an essential part of your car's braking system. The job of the caliper is to slow the car's wheels by creating friction with the rotors. The most common is floating caliper, but on some cars there are swinging and fixed calipers. It fits over the rotor like a clamp. Inside each caliper is a pair of metal plates bonded with the brake pads.

When the driver presses the brake pedal, the small brake cylinder piston compresses brake fluid in the master cylinder. Because the brake fluid doesn't compress, this force is instantly transmitted to the brake caliper, which clamps the spinning rotor, causing the wheel to slow and stop.

Though only comprising a few parts of your car, brake calipers are one of the most critical parts, enabling controlled braking in various situations. As they are a key safety component of your car, it’s important that your brake calipers are well maintained and fully functioning at all times. If you think there may be an issue with your calipers or braking system, it’s important to get things looked at by a mechanic as soon as possible.

How often should a brake caliper need replacing?

Brake calipers are usually very durable. On modern vehicles, it's not uncommon for calipers to last at least 100,000 miles or 10 years. However, if you experience any of the above symptoms, you should have your brakes inspected by a mechanic as soon as possible. Driving with stuck, damaged or faulty brake calipers is very dangerous as it will impact the effectiveness of your braking, meaning your presence on the road is a danger to all other road users.

It’s also important to keep in mind that bad brake calipers can cause excessive wear to the brake discs and pads, so having them repaired or replaced as soon as possible will be better for your wallet in the long-run.

What happens during a brake caliper replacement?

Our certified mechanics will:

  • Inspect the brakes and determine if there’s a problem with one or several of the brake calipers. They will also advise if other parts of the braking system need replacing too.

  • They will then replace the brake caliper and other parts of the brake, if necessary.

  • Bleed the brake system and top up the brake fluid.

  • Test drive the car and inspect the brake system again.

  • Make any final, necessary adjustments.

What causes a brake caliper to break?

In general, brake pads and rotors wear out and need replacement far more often than calipers. Calipers tend to get damaged when a car is driven with worn-out brake pads or warped rotors. If these components are damaged it can cause the calipers to overheat, wear down or crack.

Calipers can also break if the rubber boot that protects the piston splits. Once this occurs, water and grit will seep into the pistons surface and cause pitting, which can lead to the piston getting stuck or damaged.

When should a brake caliper be replaced?

Brake calipers are pretty tough and durable. On modern cars, calipers should last at least 100,000 miles or 10 years. However, if you experience any of the above symptoms, you should have your brakes inspected by a mechanic as soon as possible.

What are the symptoms of a bad brake caliper?

Usually, there a few signs you can look for:

  • If your brake pedal feels softer (less resistance when applying the brakes).

  • If your car pulls to one side when braking.

  • If the level in your brake fluid reservoir drops or if you notice a leak. Brake hydraulic fluid is a very pale golden colour, transparent and almost watery.

  • If you notice brake fluid on the rims of your wheels.

  • If you receive an advisory note regarding brake imbalance.

How often should you replace your brake caliper?

If you experience any of the above symptoms, you should have your brakes inspected by a mechanic as soon as possible. Driving with stuck, damaged or faulty brake calipers is very dangerous as it will impact the effectiveness of your braking, meaning your presence on the road is a danger to all other road users.

It’s also important to keep in mind that bad brake calipers can cause excessive wear to the brake discs and pads, so having them repaired or replaced as soon as possible will be better for your wallet in the long-run.

What happens during a brake caliper replacement?

Our certified mechanics will:

  • Inspect the brakes and determine if there’s a problem with one or several of the brake calipers. They will also advise if other parts of the braking system need replacing too.

  • They will then replace the brake caliper and other parts of the brake, if necessary.

  • Bleed the brake system and top up the brake fluid.

  • Test drive the car and inspect the brake system again.

  • Make any final, necessary adjustments.

What is the average life of a brake caliper?

Generally, brake calipers are tough and durable. On modern vehicles, it's not uncommon for calipers to last at least 100,000 miles or 10 years. However, if you experience any of the above symptoms, you should have your brakes inspected by a mechanic as soon as possible.

Can you drive with a broken brake caliper?

No, you should not drive with a bad brake caliper. Driving with stuck, damaged or faulty brake calipers is very dangerous as it will impact the effectiveness of your braking, meaning your presence on the road is a danger to all other road users.

The law, vehicle regulations and your MOT

The efficiency and balance of brakes is checked on MOT tests, therefore it's important that every component of your brake system is in good condition, including your brake calipers. Because your brakes are arguably the most crucial safety component in your car, your vehicle will fail its MOT if they are not functioning properly or are damaged.

car

We have your back...

We find and vet the top rated garages so you don't have to.

We negotiate the best prices on your behalf.

Fair prices based on real time market data.

Save time with our car collection and delivery.

All work is guaranteed for 12 months.

Need a hand understanding your car needs?

Our in-house experts know cars, our garages and our drivers inside out.