Replacing brake pads is one of the inevitable costs of owning a vehicle, and is something that should not be put off. The cost to have your brake pads can vary a lot depending on the vehicle, let's find out how much it costs to replace Tesla brake pads in the UK.  

How Much Do Tesla Brake Pads Cost To Replace? 

The average cost to replace the brake pads on a Tesla is between £350 - £650, depending on the model.  

This cost will increase to around £600 - £900 if brake discs are needed too. Cars such as the dual-motor Model S, which have larger brake discs, can cost slightly more too. 

Prices vary depending on the model and location, but budget between £300 and £450 for front brake pads on your Tesla. For replacing brake discs too, expect to pay in excess of £550. 

The factors that affect brake pad replacement cost are location and the specific model of Tesla you drive.  

Brake Replacement Cost by Tesla Model  

The cost of replacing any part including brake pads depends on a few factors, including the type and size of the brakes, and the ease of working on the particular model of car.  

Many Tesla models use the same brake parts, with the exception of the high-performance models.  

The following costs for Tesla Models are for replacing the front brake pads in a non-main dealer garage: 

• Tesla Model 3: £300 - £450 
• Tesla Model 3: Performance: £400 - £500 
• Tesla Model Y: £300 - £450 
• Tesla Model X: £300 - £450 
• Tesla Model X Plaid: £450 - £550 

How Do Tesla Brakes Work? 

As with most electric cars, Teslas have a traditional braking system in addition to the electronic motor. This uses a brake disc, calliper and pair of pads at each wheel, operated by a hydraulic system connected to the brake pedal.  

Alongside the hydraulic braking system, Teslas use regenerative braking. This uses the electric motor to supplement the mechanical brakes. 

What is Regenerative Braking? 

Regenerative braking converts the car's momentum into electrical energy by momentarily using the electric motor(s) as generators.  

Not only does this convert otherwise wasted energy into battery charge, but it also acts very efficiently as a braking system. 

Because the motors in a Tesla are quite large for a typical EV, they can convert substantial amounts of energy into electrical power, resulting in a very strong and smooth braking force. This means the brake pads don’t wear as fast as in a normal car. 

How Often Do Tesla Brake Pads Need to be Changed? 

Thanks to the effort of the regenerative braking system, Tesla brake pads can last for more than 100,000 miles.  

It is strongly advised though to have your brakes checked as part of your 4 year brake fluid service schedule. 

There are some reports of owners not changing their brakes for over 200,000 miles, but the brakes should be inspected periodically to avoid seizing of the callipers. 

How To Save Money On Replacing Brake Pads 

If you want to save some money on your brake pad replacement, there are a few things you can try. 

1. Change the Way You Drive 

Using the brakes is almost always wasting energy, not only does this increase your energy consumption and reduce range, but it increases wear on the brake pads and discs too. Try to look further ahead when driving, and anticipate the traffic-stopping or slowing down.  

Letting off the accelerator earlier will allow you to slow down earlier, reducing the need to use the brakes, and reducing the energy consumed. 

2. Increase Regenerative Braking 

As we’ve learnt, regenerative braking reduces the wear on your brake pads significantly, so it would make sense that the more the car uses regen braking, the less frequently you will need to pay to replace them. 

There are two settings for regenerative braking on your Tesla, Low and Standard. To set the level, Navigate using the infotainment screen to: 

• Controls > Pedals & Steering > Regenerative Braking 

Then select “Standard”, this will activate the highest level of regenerative braking available and reduce the wear on your brake pads. 

Can you Change Tesla Brake Pads Yourself? 

Some people choose to work on their cars themselves rather than taking them to a garage, as this can save you money. Whilst the brake system on a Tesla is generally the same as a normal vehicle, there are a few considerations to be taken into account if you’re considering a DIY job. 

• You need a special brake pad rewind tool to compress the piston on the rear brakes, these are available but can be expensive. 
• Your Tesla warranty will be void if any parts are replaced outside of the main dealer.  
• Any recalls involving brakes may not be honoured or free of charge if you have replaced parts outside of a main dealership. 

Does a Tesla Service Include Brake Pads? 

As with most manufacturers and cars, servicing does not include consumable parts such as brake pads and tyres.  

A Tesla service is, however, a good time to have the pads inspected for wear, as the car is likely to be put on a lift during the service anyway.  

How to Find a Garage to Replace Tesla Brake Pads? 

When having work done on your car you should be able to trust the garage in both their quality of workmanship and prices. We recommend taking note of the following when looking for somewhere to repair your Tesla: 

• Check Google and other online review platforms to see what other people think of the garage 
• Ask for recommendations in a vehicle-specific Facebook group or similar 
• Get multiple quotes from a few places before choosing one 
• Ask family and friends for recommendations  

Tesla Brake Pad Replacement 

Despite the parts cost of Teslas being higher than a typical vehicle, the modern regenerative braking technology means you won’t be replacing the brake components as often as in a normal vehicle.  

However, we still strongly recommend having your vehicle serviced and inspected regularly to avoid the brakes needing work due to lack of use, especially with the road salt and water on UK roads.  

Spread Payments and Use An Approved Garage 

Bumper offers zero-percent interest financing on car repair payments, from any of their many nationwide approved garages.  

So not only can you find a garage you can trust, but you can spread the cost of car repairs too.  

Author - Joseph Law

Joseph has been writing about cars for over seven years and writing for Bumper for over two, blending his passion for automobiles with a talent for storytelling.

Joseph has written about engineering and cars for Autozilla, Komaspec, and several engineering manufacturers. When he's not writing or tinkering with one of his five cars, Joseph dreams of owning an Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale.