How long do brake pads last?

Brake pads usually last 30,000–70,000 miles50,000–110,000 km. Where yours fall in that range depends mostly on how and where you drive: lots of city stop-and-go wears them fastest, long steady highway trips the slowest. Front pads wear out first; BookMyGarage puts them at around 25,000–60,000 miles40,000–100,000 km.

What wears brake pads faster

• City driving. Every stop uses the brakes. Highway miles barely touch them.
• Late, hard braking. Frequently slamming on the brakes wears pads much faster. Coasting up to a red light instead of braking hard at the last moment makes them last longer.
• Weight. Heavy cars such as SUVs, towing and a full load all make the brakes work harder.
• Hills. Long descents keep the pads clamped and hot.
• Pad quality. Cheaper pads may wear out sooner than higher-quality ones.

Electric cars and hybrids often get much more life from their pads, because regenerative braking does a lot of the slowing down. For Teslas, pad life of 70,000–100,000 miles110,000–160,000 km or more is reported as achievable. The catch: brakes that are rarely used can rust and seize, especially where roads are salted in winter, so they still need checking.

Signs your brake pads are worn

1. A high-pitched squeal when you brake. Many pads have a small metal tab that squeals on purpose when they get thin.
2. Grinding or scraping. This usually means the pad is worn down to metal. Stop driving and have the brakes checked: it damages the discs quickly and braking gets worse.
3. Longer stopping distances or a brake pedal that feels softer than usual.
4. A brake warning light. Some cars have pad wear sensors that turn on a light on the dashboard when the pads reach their minimum thickness.
5. Vibration when braking. A shake through the steering wheel can mean the discs are wearing unevenly.

What a replacement costs

Replacing the pads on one axle (front or rear) at a garage typically costs around $150–$450≈ £120–£350≈ €140–€410≈ A$230–A$680, parts and labor included. If the discs are worn too and need replacing at the same time, expect it to cost a lot more. See the full brake pad replacement cost guide.

Front pads usually wear out before the rear ones, because the front brakes do most of the stopping.

How to make them last longer

• Look further ahead and lift off the accelerator early.
• Use a lower gear on long downhill stretches.
• Don't carry weight you don't need.
• Have the pads checked at every service, so you replace them before they damage the discs.