Brake Fluid Change

Brake fluid change pricing

How much should a brake fluid replacement cost? At Kwik Fit, a brake fluid change costs just £49.95 when you book online. Whether you drive a supermini, family car or a large off-road 4x4, our brake fluid change price is the same for all vehicle classes.

Replacement brake fluid is available at Kwik Fit centres across the UK and should take up to 1 hour and 30 minutes to complete and double-check. This includes our free comprehensive brake check.

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What's included in a brake fluid change?

During a brake fluid change at Kwik Fit, our trained brake technicians check your current brake fluid level and moisture content as well as assess your brake components for any damage or leaks.

Then, they will use a pressure bleeder to perform the brake fluid change – this pumps a constant supply of new fluid under pressure into the brake fluid reservoir to avoid air getting into the hydraulic system. The brake fluid change process is as follows.

• Starting with the brake in most need of attention (the most contaminated), then moving around the vehicle in a sequence depending on the braking system fitted.
• The old fluid is then bled out at the bleed nipple on each brake, until clean fluid is seen in the bleed bottle.
• The new fluid pushes out the old fluid, which is then disposed of safely.

On most modern vehicles, the use of a diagnostic tool — or 'brake fluid pressure sensor' — is also required to enable a bleed function on the ABS controller. This bleed function ensures that all the old fluid is purged from the different pathways and valves within the ABS pump. At Kwik Fit, we use a high specification DOT4+ fluid that has been designed to meet the demands of modern electronic stability control systems.

You will also receive a free comprehensive brake check when you book your brake fluid change online which includes an inspection of your key brake components to ensure they are working effectively.

Brake fluid change & vehicle servicing

Did you know that changing car brake fluid is not typically included in a vehicle service? That’s why it is important to make sure your brake fluid is in good condition and replaced regularly to reduce the chances of brake failure.

At Kwik Fit, both our Interim service and Full service packages include a check on your brake fluid to ensure that the boiling point and general condition is acceptable. In addition, if you know your vehicle needs a brake fluid change, you can add this as an additional extra at checkout when you purchase your service online.

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Brake fluid change FAQs

As experts when it comes to motor vehicle maintenance and servicing, we receive plenty of questions about vehicle brake fluid — from brake fluid changes to brake parts and accessories. For our expert advice, find your question below. Or, if you can’t find your question, call us directly.

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Why is brake fluid important?

Brake fluid plays a crucial role in your braking system as it transfers the force created when a driver presses the brake pedal directly onto the wheel hub.

Heat generated under braking, especially under heavier braking or prolonged braking, may affect the brake fluid which can only work if it is liquid and not so hot that it has become vapour. Therefore the boiling point that your brake fluid can achieve is critical to efficient braking as temperatures above the boiling point form vapour bubbles in the system, potentially resulting in brake failure.

In addition, brake fluid serves as a lubricant for all movable parts and prevents corrosion. It has to be compatible with rubber seals and hoses thus allowing braking systems to achieve long service and optimal performance.

How often should you change brake fluid?

Manufacturers suggest different intervals for a brake fluid change but, in general, the recommendation is that this is carried out at least every two years.

Check your vehicle manual for specific guidance on the brake fluid change guideline for your make and model of vehicle. Maintaining the recommended schedule for changing your brake fluid helps to prevent brake failure as brake fluid can deteriorate in quality over time. Remember – brake fluid is checked during a service (both Interim and Full) for its general condition and to ensure its boiling point is adequate, but it will not be replaced as part of the service.

What happens if vehicle brake fluid is not changed?

Some drivers have asked us, “Is it necessary to change my brake fluid?”, to which we respond, “Of course” — and here’s why. Not changing vehicle brake fluid regularly can lead to several issues.

Moisture (water) absorption by brake fluid drastically reduces its boiling point, leading to diminished braking efficiency. This moisture can also cause internal corrosion in brake components, potentially leading to leaks or failures.

As vehicle brake fluid gets older, it can also decrease braking performance, requiring more pedal force to bring the vehicle to a stop. What’s more, dirty fluid accelerates wear on parts like the master cylinder and calipers. In extreme cases, neglecting to change your brake fluid can result in complete failure of the braking system.

That’s why we recommend following the manufacturer's schedule, typically getting a brake fluid change every 2 to 3 years.

Why does brake fluid deteriorate?

Brake fluid has hygroscopic properties - meaning that it absorbs moisture during its life in your car through the pipes, hoses and joints that it lubricates. As the water content in the brake fluid increases, the temperature the liquid boils at decreases. The boiling point can be significantly reduced by water contamination which will have a negative effect on your braking ability.

Whilst regular servicing of your vehicle will include checking the boiling point of your brake fluid, vehicle manufacturers recommend that you change your brake fluid at least every two years if not sooner (check your vehicle handbook for details). Changing brake fluid when recommended prevents brake failure and maintains the boiling point at a safe level.

The table below shows how the boiling point of DOT 4 ESP Brake Fluid can be severely reduced when it is ‘wet’ (i.e. contaminated with water) compared to when it is ‘dry’ (i.e. no water content like when the brake fluid is brand new)

For more general questions about your brakes and how brakes work, head over to our Brake FAQ page here.