Is this a good quote?

[Stevey101]

Evening everyone

So after my service it was found my brake fluid needs renewing and my rear brakes need renewing.

This is the quote I’ve been given by the garage. Now when it comes to cars I’m very inept and have only basic mechanical knowledge so I’m not sure what’s a good price and what isn’t hence why I’m coming here to ask. The garage is a very good reputable garage hence why I go there but this quote seems rather high to me but then again like I say I have no clue. Is this a reasonable price or should I shop about?
All help appreciated.

[crofty1984]

That doesn't look a million miles off, especially if they're doing discs as well. Say £200-250 in bits and a couple of hours labour to fit, then an hour to bleed and some fluid.

[s94wht]

What is "renew rear brakes"? Must be discs and pads at that price? If so, I wouldn't have thought that's too bad.

Brake fluid on my Golf GTI recently was £37.50, I'd say 70-odd quid is a bit steep

[itcaptainslow]

If it's rear discs AND pads I'd say that's a reasonable enough price. If it's just the pads, rather punchy.

[Stevey101]

I think it’s for the discs not the pads as I rang and he said it’s the discs.

[Triumph Man]

As said, if discs and pads that seems reasonable.

[Old Merc]

They should list all the parts to be replaced. As well as the brake pads, are they replacing the disc/ drums? How about the hand brake shoes? with the disc/drums removed they are easy to replace.

[s94wht]

Stevey101 said:

I think it’s for the discs not the pads as I rang and he said it’s the discs.

I think it's highly unlikely they do it that way round

[s94wht]

Also, if you're not mechanically inclined, are we actually sure they need doing? Brakes are quite a common item to just be shoved onto a bill to eke out a bit more money from the unsuspecting. Is this a place you trust?

[Old Merc]

Stevey101 said:

I think it’s for the discs not the pads as I rang and he said it’s the discs.

Nobody puts old pads back on new discs.
Ask for a new quote listing ALL parts.

[VeeReihenmotor6]

As others are saying for Discs and Pads at the rear that is reasonable enough. For some reason the rears are more expensive than the fronts.

If it is just pads that is too much.

My friend has just had the rears and fronts done on a Mercedes B Class on separate occassions and were charged 325 for the rear discs and bads and 250 for the front discs and pads.

[phil4]

Renew usually means reusing the previous parts after they've been fixed or cleaned.

Replace is the word that implies they fit something new.

Gawd knows how they "renew" brake fluid? dry it out somehow?

As others have said, I'd want the quote to be crystal clear what they're replacing, after all they've split out the brake fluid, why not the parts they'll use on the brakes?

[valiant]

s94wht said:

What is "renew rear brakes"? Must be discs and pads at that price? If so, I wouldn't have thought that's too bad.

Brake fluid on my Golf GTI recently was £37.50, I'd say 70-odd quid is a bit steep

To be fair, that's not bad for a main dealer. I normally pay around £60 so it's not that bad.

For the rest, I want to see a proper breakdown of what they're doing as it's not clear. Pads and discs? Not a bad price. Pads only? They're taking the piss. Only discs and putting the old pads in? Run for the hills!

[Stevey101]

valiant said:

s94wht said:

What is "renew rear brakes"? Must be discs and pads at that price? If so, I wouldn't have thought that's too bad.

Brake fluid on my Golf GTI recently was £37.50, I'd say 70-odd quid is a bit steep

To be fair, that's not bad for a main dealer. I normally pay around £60 so it's not that bad.

For the rest, I want to see a proper breakdown of what they're doing as it's not clear. Pads and discs? Not a bad price. Pads only? They're taking the piss. Only discs and putting the old pads in? Run for the hills!

Yeah it’s not a main dealer in terms of Mercedes, BMW etc it’s just a well established independent garage. Yeah I’m going to do some more investigation and get other quotes as nearly £400 seems steep to me

[Countdown]

Just out of general interest- how do you know if your brake fluid needs replacing? I know you’re supposed to replace it periodically but I’ve never known this to be identified as part of a service?

[anonymous-user]

Countdown said:

Just out of general interest- how do you know if your brake fluid needs replacing? I know you’re supposed to replace it periodically but I’ve never known this to be identified as part of a service?

You test it's moisture content for a definitive check, but most manufacturers advise it to be replaced every 24 months.

[Yahonza]

Countdown said:

Just out of general interest- how do you know if your brake fluid needs replacing? I know you’re supposed to replace it periodically but I’ve never known this to be identified as part of a service?

It should be part of the service schedule for a brake fluid change. That quote seems a bit vague re the brakes though.
For discs it seems a bit on the low side.

[3GGy]

Countdown said:

Just out of general interest- how do you know if your brake fluid needs replacing? I know you’re supposed to replace it periodically but I’ve never known this to be identified as part of a service?

I identify it by how much the bleed nipples are corroded into the caliper.

[shtu]

I'm sure there'll be someone who sneers and claims the job can be done for 15p and a pack of Toffos, but that quote seems reasonable enough.

[TarquinMX5]

Assuming it's for new rear discs, new pads and flushing through/replacing all the brake fluid, that's a reasonable quote. £400 will just cover an oil change in many main dealers.

To put it into perspective, a MB dealer lists £335 for rear pads only, £583 for rear discs and pads. Brake fluid not shown, but probably £80+.

Prices quoted are for a 2019 Mercedes C200 AMG Line.