What are brake calipers? Replacement cost and maintenance guide

When it comes to car maintenance, having brakes in good working condition is vital to ensure your car is safe and in a roadworthy condition.

Your car’s brake calipers are an important part of the braking system, and their condition should be checked whenever brake pads and/or discs are replaced.

What are brake calipers?

The brake caliper houses the brake pads and hydraulic pistons and are mounted over a brake disc, or rotor, which is fixed to the wheel hub.

The key components of a disc brake system include:

• The brake caliper
• Hydraulic piston(s)
• A brake disc or rotor
• A pair of brake pads

When a driver presses the brake pedal, hydraulic fluid pushes the piston in the caliper, which in turn presses the brake pads onto the spinning disc, which creates friction, slowing or stopping the vehicle.

When the brake pedal is released, the pressure drops and the piston retracts, causing the pads to move back from the disc slightly, allowing it to rotate freely.

Common brake caliper issues

Here’s a list of potential issues with brake calipers that all drivers should be aware of:

• Seized caliper or piston — poor braking efficiency and causes the vehicle to pull to one side when braking;
• Partially seized or sticking caliper – poor braking efficiency and uneven brake pad wear.
• Leaking brake fluid — can lead to brake failure
• Corrosion — can lead to sticking pistons or sliding pins, causing inconsistent braking.

If you suspect there may be faults with your brake system, you should arrange for a professional to inspect and carry out any work.  Take your vehicle to a trusted local garage, or call for a mobile mechanic.

• How much does it cost to replace brake pads?
• Everything you need to know about brake pads
• What to do if your car brakes seize?

How much is it to replace brake calipers?

According to whocanfixmycar, the cost to replace a brake caliper typically costs anywhere between £150 to £200.

However, this can be affected by the make, model, age, and design of the brake system. More premium models, and high-performance cars, will have a significantly higher cost.

Also, it is important to remember that calipers should be repaired in pairs. This should be done as a pair of fronts or a pair of rear calipers.

^{Source: whocanfixmycar, June 2025}

How often should you replace a brake caliper?

It is advisable that you should the replace the brake calipers in your vehicle (all four of them if your car has all-round brake discs), every 10 years or 100,000 miles – whichever happens first.

Brake calipers are checked every year during the MOT, so if there are any issues, they will get flagged up to you before the issue gets worse.

How to fix a stuck brake caliper

If you are looking to fix your brake caliper, then it is best to let an expert carry out any work.

This is because of the safety element of working on brakes.

The vehicle will need to be lifted, and the wheels removed before any work on the brake system can be carried out.

Next the caliper (and surrounding area) will need to be inspected for signs of rust or seized pistons or pins.

The problem part will need to be removed, cleaned, and lubricated.

If after doing this, the caliper still doesn’t move, it may need replacing.