Best Brake Pads for Cars in the UK

Review & Comparison, Last Update January 28, 2024
Brake pads are the only reason your brakes are able to last for more than a month. The best brake pads minimise noise, vibrations, ...Read more
PROS

These pads are highly praised for their astonishingly quiet operation and almost no vibrations. This was achieved due to the 3-layer thermal insulation (rubber - steel - rubber) between pad, piston and brake fluid.

CONS

No wear indicator. 

OUR VERDICT

The Brembo brake pads are the best choice if you want to get complete control over your car and be confident in the effectiveness of the braking system, even at very high speeds or extreme temperatures. They boast an impressive thickness of 18.2 mm.

detailed parameters
Material

Patented compound

Kit Contents

4 pads (for 2 front wheels), Hardware

Compatibility

Ford, Mazda, Volvo

Thickness

18.2 mm

Warranty

2 years

PROS

The manufacturer hasn't used such materials like copper, lead, mercury, cadmium, antimony, brass or molybdenum for the production of these pads. Moreover, a special manufacturing process has made it possible to reduce CO2 emissions to the air.

CONS

Some users say that they are rather noisy.

OUR VERDICT

The TRW GDB1622 brake pads are superior to most other sets in their ability to provide great efficiency even during the set-in phase. Also, they boast incredible durability and come with a 50,000 km lifespan, as well as a 3-year warranty.

detailed parameters
Material

Compound with patented COTEC™ coating

Kit Contents

4 pads (for 2 rear wheels), Hardware

Compatibility

Audi, Skoda, Seat, VW

Thickness

17 mm

Warranty

3 years

PROS

The compound is made from fine metallic fibres, so, these pads are less susceptible to wear and tear. The BECKTEC ™ coating ensures that the brakes provide reliable performance even in wet weather which makes them particularly useful for those who live in high humid areas.

CONS

The pads could be a bit thicker.

OUR VERDICT

Coming at an affordable price tag, the Borg & Beck BBP1777 Rear Brake Pads are in no way inferior to the original brake pads when it comes to performance and quality. Pads are chamfered and grooved to match the consistency of OE design.

detailed parameters
Material

Compound (made from fine metallic fibres) with BECKTEC™ coating

Kit Contents

4 pads (for 2 rear wheels), Hardware

Compatibility

Vauxhall, Opel

Thickness

15.2 mm

Warranty

2 years

PROS

All hardware required for installation is included in the package, so the whole process will take you just a few minutes. What's more, these pads are available in a wide range of choices, making them suitable not only for the Honda Civic VIII but some other models as well. 

CONS

They may feel a bit 'spongy' when braking hard.

OUR VERDICT

If you often drive on roads with long downhill areas or steep mountain slopes, we recommend going with the Brembo P28037 brake pads. These pads have increased resistance to overheating during prolonged braking and will serve you much longer than most other pads. 

detailed parameters
Material

Patented compound

Kit Contents

4 pads (for 2 front wheels), Hardware

Compatibility

Honda

Thickness

17.5 mm

Warranty

2 years

PROS

Friction material represents a perfect mixture of raw materials and is suitable for optimal braking results under all operating conditions and environmental effects. The pads are also famous for their low dust emission level.

CONS

The installation process may take you quite a while.

OUR VERDICT

The Blue Print ADV184206 Brake Pad Set is an extremely versatile product that is suitable for Audi, Citroën, Fiat, Ford, Lancia, Opel, Peugeot, Renault, Seat, Skoda, Vauxhall, and VW cars. Designed specifically for the rear axle.

detailed parameters
Material

Patented compound

Kit Contents

4 pads (for 2 rear wheels), Hardware

Compatibility

Audi, Citroën, Fiat, Ford, Lancia, Opel, Peugeot, Renault, Seat, Skoda, Vauxhall, VW

Thickness

16.8 mm

Warranty

3 years

The Highest Quality is Guaranteed

If you're looking for an extra-reliable replacement for the brake pads on the front axle of your vehicle, the Brembo P24061 set is one of the best products we can offer to you. The manufacturer uses only the finest quality materials and its own foundries for the production of car accessories and subjects them to serious technical expertise.

The brake pads in question have undergone long research and numerous road/laboratory tests to meet the OE quality and ECE R 90 standards. That is to say, they are made according to the OE pressing technology with direct moulding. As a result, the friction material here is glued to the metallic support with maximum precision. What's more, the Brembo pads were subjected to surface thermal treatment for maximum efficiency at extremely high temperatures. So, you can expect that your stopping distance will be reduced to the minimum in any road and weather conditions.

When it comes to driving comfort, the brakes are no slouch either. They are incredibly quiet and absorb noises and vibrations amazingly well. This is largely achieved owing to the addition of a thermal insulation layer between the pad, piston, and brake fluid. The several layers of the shim further decrease noise, guaranteeing you the braking safety.

In all, if the maximum driving comfort and the highest quality are the things you cherish in the brakes the most, this Brembo set may be an ideal fit for your vehicle.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price £27.76
Stock In stock
ASIN B00AJTG5SI

Extra-Long Lifespan

If you're driving one of the most reliable cars out there (such as Audi, Skoda, Seat, or Volkswagen), you probably know that it requires minimum maintenance and replacement of different parts. So, more likely than not, you want a long-lasting set of brakes for your four-wheeled friend. That's why we have included the TRW GDB1622 Brake Pads to our shortlist. They boast an incredible 50,000 km lifespan and come with a generous 3-year warranty.

First things first, the TRW GDB1622 set consists of four brake pads that should be installed on rear axles with the help of calliper screws (included in the package). However, take note that because their dimensions make 105.5 (L) x 56 (H) x 17 (W), they are not compatible with carbon-ceramic brake discs and can used only in conjunction with steel ones. As far as materials go, these pads are made from the durable compound and boast the patented COTEC™ coating. Each set has been rigorously tested for the highest quality, and the long lifespan of the pads proves that point.

Being the leading provider of spare automotive parts in the global market, the TRW Automotive company cares not only about their customers' satisfaction but about the environment as well. So, in order to produce car accessories, they do not use any harmful materials, such as copper, lead, mercury, cadmium, antimony, brass or molybdenum and rely on a special manufacturing process, which keeps the levels of CO2 emissions low. So, if you're an eco-conscious driver in need of a reliable set of brake pads, the TRW GDB1622 is surely worth your closer consideration.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price £25.48
Stock In stock
ASIN B004Z0YPMA

Quick Installation

In case you've never replaced brakes before, the Borg & Beck BBP1777 Rear Brake Pads may really catch your fancy. It's a professional set of brakes that are designed for an easy start. The pads come ready for use straight out-of-the-box and require neither adjusting nor lubrication. They look fantastic too and can be used without cleaning. However, the best thing is that they come supplied with wear leads/indicators, which makes them even more attractive for inexperienced users.

The Borg & Beck pads utilise the latest innovation and technology advances and are treated with a premium water-based BECKTEC coating which allows them to preserve their top-notch look and amazing properties for a long while. The coating also ensures that the brakes provide reliable performance even in wet conditions which makes the particularly useful for those who live in high humid regions. To add more, the pads are copper-free. Instead, they contain the pure, highly-specified compound consisting of fine metallic fibres keeping it less corrosive as compared to more coarse formulations.   

When it comes to braking performance, the Borg & Beck BBP1777 will help you stop your car safely and swiftly. They are also very quiet- and smooth-working, so you're less likely to get annoyed with the noise or rattle. All of this definitely makes this Borg & Beck pack a great choice for those individuals who want a decent set that will be easy to install and intuitive to use.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price £21.06
Stock In stock
ASIN B00B9BJ3M0

Especially for Honda Civic

If you're a happy owner of Honda Civic and treat it like a gem, we have a great offering for you - the Brembo P28037 Front Disc Brake Pad Set that is designed specifically for Honda Civic VIII Hatchbacks (2005 year and newer models). With these pads, you will be able to enjoy your rides even more and be sure that they will serve you reliably, maintaining the brakes of your car in top-notch condition no matter what. This is largely achieved owing to the OE pressing process and metallic support with sheet metal that are used in their construction.

To begin with, we would like to stress that these pads are very easy to fit. Just make sure that you have a suitable socket wrench at your disposal if this is the first time when you're installing brake pads. All other hardware necessary for installation along with new bolts for calipers comes included in the package. Thus, all you have to do is just clean the callipers and apply a small amount of silicone grease to the notched guides. It's that simple.

Although these pads need approximately 1,600 km to set in, you'll notice the improvement in the braking system performance almost instantly. The car stopping power will be significantly improved, especially on steep slopes. This is so because these pads have been subjected to the scorching thermal treatment. As a result, they deliver remarkable results with no damage to the disks, even at extreme temperatures. 

For sure, every owner of Honda Civic VIII should have strong brake pads like these. Options for other car models are provided by the manufacturer as well.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price £33.70
Stock In stock
ASIN B00AJTHQQ8

Extra Versatile Set

Since 1994, Blue Print has been manufacturing decent car accessory solutions for both American and Asian passenger car brands, meeting the demands of the constantly growing range. The company stands for high quality, service, and reliability and provides its products for very reasonable costs. This brake pad set isn't an exception.

For less than £12, you can get four brake pads that ensure consistent quality and are certified according to ECE R-90. This means the brakes have been thoroughly tested according to the strict European standards and can bring users confidence and driving comfort.

Understanding that every centimetre counts when braking, the folks behind Blue Print take safety concerns seriously and utilise the scorching treatment to enhance the efficiency of this set. Specifically, they heat the surface of the brake pads up to 650˚C under high pressure during the manufacturing process, making sure there are no uncured components left, such as residual gases, for example. As a result, the pads get a long-lasting friction material that can serve for a long time without any signs of wear and tear.

So, if you're after well-balanced performance, driving comfort, and durability, these Blue Print pads are up to the task. Besides, they are suitable for a wide variety of cars including those offered by Audi, Citroën, DS, FIAT, Ford, Lancia, Opel, Peugeot, Renault, Seat, Škoda, Vauxhall, and Volkswagen.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price £13.34
Stock In stock
ASIN B00B8VJHSQ

What Are Brake Pads?

Brakes are the biggest reason you're able to drive your car without losing your sanity. But these admittedly important mechanical devices aren't really worth much without brake pads backing them up. Brake pads, on the other hand, are the most important disc brakes' component that is used in different automotive and many other applications.

Generally speaking, brake pads are these steel-backing plates with friction material that's bound to the surface facing the disc brake rotor. These pads are the reason your brakes do not go bad after a week or two. They are the reason quality brakes are able to deliver excellent braking performance under high inertia and repetitive braking applications.

Good pads have to juggle many different aspects well enough in order to compete with the best options on the market today. They have to be able to reduce the usual brake squealing, groaning, and vibration issues. They won't be able to compete without significantly minimising and, sometimes, entirely eliminating dusting. The best pads are effective from the get-go, meaning there's no break-in period required.

Sure, it's not just about the brakes but tyres too. So consider these tyre pressure gauges to make sure you're as safe on the road as possible and/or prepared for different issues that will arise on that road from time to time.

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