A close up of a car dashboard displaying a brake light warning
Service, Repairs & MOT

Brake pads and disc replacements in Truro

Get £10 off a brake pads and disc replacement with our mobile mechanics.*

  • Top-quality brakes
  • Price includes fitting
  • Maximum convenience

*T&Cs apply. Offer ends 29/09, 09:00.

£182.81

Average price for this repair in Truro in the last 30 days^

Trustpilot rating for all RAC Mobile Mechanics.

Why choose the RAC for brake pads and discs replacement?

With RAC Mobile Mechanics, you can avoid the hassle of taking your vehicle to a garage. We can do brake repairs on your driveway, so you don't even need to leave the house.

Our top-quality brake parts meet OEM standards – that means we only use parts that meet your vehicle manufacturer’s strict quality criteria. And with our 12-month guarantee, you can drive away with confidence. No hidden costs, just friendly, honest experts.

Close up of an RAC Mobile Mechanic underneath a car

Our top pick in Truro

We’ll come to you at home or work

RAC Mobile Mechanic in Truro

At the RAC, we’ve got over 125 years’ experience in offering complete peace of mind to our members. We’re best known for our breakdown service. And now – our new RAC Mobile Mechanics are here to help make every day motoring easier. If you need a service or repair, they’ll come to you at your home or work.

Brake pads and disc replacements

From £139**

£149

If your brakes are making noise or you’re noticing reduced stopping power, it’s likely time to replace your brake pads or discs. Our mobile mechanics can come to you at home or work to replace them, all without the hassle of getting to a garage!

*T&Cs apply. Offer ends 29/09, 09:00.

We use original equipment manufacturer (OEM) standard parts, which means every new part will be the same standard and same quality as the original part it replaced.
Our mobile mechanics are friendly, honest, and backed by the RAC.
Close up of an RAC Mobile Mechanic running a vehicle diagnostic check

Vehicle diagnostic check

£99

We’ll spend up to 30 mins checking our car’s onboard management system for faults. We’ll talk you through repairs needed and provide a full report. If any further work is needed, we’ll agree this with you before we start. Any additional work after the first 30 minutes will be priced at £20 per 15 minutes. We’ll agree this with you before proceeding.

We’ll look for any mechanical or electrical problems. If we need to, we’ll also check your car’s onboard engine management system. Depending on your car and issue, this will usually include: – Engine – Power steering – Brakes – Transmission – Exhaust system – Fuel injection system – Cooling system and air flow – Sensors
If we detect any issues, we'll talk through what needs to be repaired. We’ll give you a no-obligation quote to fix it on the spot, if we can. Or we’ll recommend a local RAC Approved Garage, and give you a full error report to take there.

Average cost of a brake repair by car make^

The cost to repair your brakes will depend on the car you drive. According to RAC data, the average cost to repair your brakes is £329. But you can check out the average price of a brake repair for your specific car make here.

Car make

Average price

BMW

£267

Ford

£271

Audi

£289

Volkswagen

£281

Vauxhall

£271

Land Rover

£324

Mini

£236

Kia

£257

Nissan

£267

^Average price quoted for brake repairs by RAC Mobile Mechanics from 01/01/25 to 31/03/25.

And it’s not just brake pads and disc replacements that we can do in Truro

Mobile mechanics bring the garage to you, saving you the hassle of getting your car to a garage. If you need a service or repair, they’ll come to you at your home or work.

A close up of an RAC mobile mechanic looking under the hood of a car

What our expert says

Your brakes are probably the most important part of your car. Worn brakes can cause longer stopping distances, brake judder, and a spongy feeling in the brake pedal.

Nick Mullender

Lead RAC Mobile Mechanic

Try one of our RAC Approved Garages

RB Motors

4.1/5

RB Motors are a repair and service garage located in Holsworthy Devon and Bude Cornwall. We pride ourselves on doing a great job that is quick easy and efficient. We offer same day collection of your vehicle and instant quotes, give us a call for any further information.
Tyr Cars, Atlantic High Way, Bude, EX239JY

W G Friend & Son Ltd

4.0/5

W G Friend & Son Ltd
Units 8-10 Stowford Business Park, Ivybridge, Plymouth, PL21 0BE

Roundabout & Moxham Garage

3.9/5

We are a well known independent garage situated in the heart of Yelverton. We are extremely easy to find and have many amenities local to us. RAC trading standards approved. FREE COURTESY CAR AVAILABLE !!
Moorland Villas, Yelverton, PL206DT

TyreMarks of Tavistock

3.7/5

At TyreMarks our aim is to be at the forefront and to lead the way to offer the best service and results in vehicle mechanical, electrical and diagnostic repair solutions. We run the very latest in diagnostic, ECU and emissions control equipment for just about any vehicle and manufacturer. This also includes many manufacture's own specific tools and software for Ford, BMW, VW, Audi, Seat, Skoda & Bentley, Vauxhall, Peugeot & Citroen. Our new premises in Westbridge Industrial Estate, Tavistock have given us exactly what we needed to become what we are today, with easy access and customer parking spaces at the front of the building, along with a massive parking area at the rear. A superb customer reception and waiting area, all fully compliant with disabled specifications including our toilets and a children's play area, a TV, Free WiFi and even a Free Coffee machine. Our new premises have given us the room to expand, not only our general mechanical services but also expand our specialist services even further, running 6 mechanical ramps (5 of which are rated to lift over 4 ton), a fully floating wheel free ramp to be able to offer a full 4 wheel alignment set up. Also we have 3 tyre fitting bays along with a separate room for our Stainless Steel Custom Exhaust fabrication for Powerflow, a specialist ECU repair and tuning room where we can actually open your ECU to update, repair damage, copy and clone, even clean up internal corrosion and water damage in our ultrasonic tank. We use the best products for your vehicle and we are a dealer for many leading manufactures including MICHELIN Tyres, BREMBO Brakes, SHELL Lubricants - that's correct we use Shell Oil as our standard workshop motor oil. Not many garages can say that. We are an RAC Approved Garage which shows the quality of our work and the parts we use. With the ever increasing issues with vehicle electronics, emissions and dash warning lights we have invested heavily in the latest equipment for repair, engine management, ABS, airbag, body control, TPMS (Tyre Pressure Management System) and emissions control systems, such as DPF's and EGR Valves. Our Hydroflow Carbon Cleaning Treatment along with our Off Vehicle DPF Cleaning machine run alongside our ever-increasing range of diagnostic tools and manufacture specific back up to help us stay at the forefront of our game. Our outstanding HYDROFLOW Engine Decarbonising Machine is amazing people with its results, whether its general maintenance or rectifying an array of faults including engine management faults, cleaning blocked DPF's and EGR valves. This helps to increase your MPG, reduce smoking exhausts, remove lumpy running and reduce high exhaust emissions, reducing flat spots, cleaning out sticking turbo's to name just a few. Our Hydroflow treatment has proven time and time again to improve all of these issues. With the new MOT regulations, a vehicle suffering from these issues can often make the difference between a pass or fail. We are a Powerflow Centre of Excellence and so can build you a full customised Stainless Steel Exhaust system from scratch. Whether you require a high performance system with a 200 Cell sports Catalytic Convertor, a standard replacement system or just a flexy section replacement, we can offer it. We fully tig weld every system in house for any car, van, tractor or even a generator and all our work comes with a Lifetime Guarantee. Just pop in and check out our new premises on Westbridge Industrial Estate, Pixon Lane, Tavistock to see what we can do for you.
Unit 5 Westbridge Ind Est, Tavistock, PL198DE

James & Aldridge Garage Limited.

3.0/5

James and Aldridge are based in Bude, Cornwall. We carry out Car Servicing, Car Repairs, MOT Testing, 24/7 Vehicle Recovery and Vehicle Transport and we’re now a Used Car Cornwall Dealership. Our Workshop is fully equipped with the very latest in servicing technology and all of our local car mechanics are trained to provide the highest level of vehicle care. We are now RAC Approved! The RAC have been serving motorists since 1897 and as the motorist’s champion, it’s their duty to provide motorists with a network of independent businesses they can trust. Being RAC approved, we follow the RAC Customer Charter. This means that every time you bring your vehicle to us you will get: • Honest Pricing – All work will be explained clearly and the costs will be transparent • Quality Work – Any car repair done will meet the high standard set by the RAC • Exceptional Customer Service – You’ll find the service friendly, straightforward and jargon free
Bude Stratton Business Park, Bude, EX238LY

Frequently asked questions on brake pads

Brake pads typically need replacing every 20,000 to 70,000 miles, but this depends on your driving habits and the type of brake pads you use. Regular inspections can help determine the right time for replacement.

Yes, if you have the necessary tools and mechanical knowledge, you can replace brake pads yourself. However, unless you’re a trained mechanic, it’s safer and more efficient to entrust the work to a trained professional.

Worn brake pads often cause squealing or grinding noises, reduced braking performance, and vibrations when braking. Visual inspections can also reveal thin brake pads that need replacing.

You may need new brake discs if you experience vibrations when braking, see grooves or score marks on the disc, or notice a longer stopping distance. A professional inspection can confirm if the brake discs need replacing.

Brake discs last longer than brake pads and typically need replacing every 50,000 to 70,000 miles. The exact lifespan depends on driving conditions and habits.

To check your brake pads yourself:

  1. Look through the wheel spokes: You should see the brake pad pressed against the brake disc.
  2. Measure the thickness: If the pad is less than 3mm (about 0.12 in) thick, it needs replacing.
  3. Listen for noises: Squealing or grinding noises indicate worn pads.

If you spot anything unusual or out of the ordinary, make sure you speak to a mechanic as soon as possible.

Brake fade occurs when the braking system overheats and loses its ability to generate friction. This can happen after continuous hard braking, such as driving down a steep hill. A brake fade reduces braking performance and can be dangerous.

Replacing both brake pads and discs can cost between £200 and £500 per axle, depending on the vehicle and type of parts used. Get multiple quotes to make sure you’re getting the best deal.

Driving with worn brake pads can compromise your safety and damage other braking components in your vehicle. It is best to replace them as soon as you notice they are worn.

Yes, there are several types of brake pads:

  • Ceramic brake pads: Known for being quiet and producing less dust.
  • Semi-metallic brake pads: Durable and effective but can be noisy.
  • Organic brake pads: Made from non-metallic materials, they are quieter but wear out faster.

Each type has its pros and cons, so choose based on your driving needs.

Brake pads are components that press against the brake discs (rotors) to create friction and slow the car. Brake discs are the rotors attached to the wheels that the brake pads clamp onto. Both are essential for effective braking.

To extend the life of your brake pads:

  • Drive smoothly: Avoid hard braking whenever possible.
  • Maintain a safe distance: This reduces the need for sudden stops.
  • Regular inspections: Check your brake pads regularly to catch wear early. Inspection should form part of your yearly service.

A brake pad replacement typically takes about 1 to 2 hours per axle, depending on the vehicle and the mechanic's experience. If additional repairs are needed, it might take longer.

Yes, you can upgrade to high-performance brake pads for better braking performance. Consider options like ceramic or semi-metallic pads if you need improved durability and stopping power.

If the brake warning light comes on, it usually indicates that your brake pads are worn or there is another issue with the braking system. To avoid progressive damage to your vehicle, get your brakes checked out by a professional as soon as you can.

Brakes can squeal for several reasons:

  • Worn brake pads: Low pads can cause squealing.
  • Glazed pads: Overheating can glaze the pads and cause noise.
  • Dust and debris: Accumulation can cause squealing.

Regular maintenance and timely replacements can prevent squealing.

A brake pad sensor is a small device that alerts you when your brake pads are worn and need replacing. It activates the brake warning light on the dashboard when the pads reach a certain wear level.

Yes, a mobile mechanic can replace your brake pads at your home or workplace. This service offers convenience and ensures your brakes are in good condition without needing to visit a garage.

Yes, driving with worn brake pads can damage other parts of your vehicle, such as the brake discs and calipers. This can lead to more expensive repairs, so it’s best to have any issues seen to as soon as you notice them.

If your car judders when braking, it could indicate warped brake discs or unevenly worn brake pads. Have your braking system inspected and repaired by a professional.

Brake pads are usually considered a wear-and-tear item and probably won’t be covered under standard warranties. However, some premium brake pads come with a limited warranty, so it’s worth checking the details when you buy.

  • OEM brake pads: Made by the vehicle manufacturer or an approved supplier. They match the original specifications.
  • Aftermarket brake pads: Made by third-party manufacturers. They can offer a wider range of options but vary in quality.

Both options have their pros and cons. Talk to a mechanic to choose the best for your needs.