Alan ‘Bo’ BorensteinWe were riding in our friend’s car one day when we suddenly heard squealing sounds whenever he hit the brakes. He ignored it at first until it started making grinding and clicking sounds.
Good thing the best brake repair shops in Vancouver came to the rescue! Since then, he promised to not let the brakes get that bad ever again.
So if you need to have your brakes checked too, make sure to read this article to learn more about the repair shops we love and trust.
How much does a brake repair cost in Vancouver?
In Vancouver, brake pad and rotor replacement will cost you around $140 to $1,000 per axle. Meanwhile, labor costs range from $90 to $200 per hour.
How we chose:
1. Kartek Automotive Services
Consumer Rating: B+
| Google reviews score | 4.8/5 |
| Total reviews | 5/5 |
| Score consistency | 5/5 |
Our Rating: B+
| Quality of parts | 4.7/5 |
| Accessibility | 4.8/5 |
| Ease of booking process | 4.8/5 |
| Close to bus or train stations | 4.8/5 |
| Efficiency | 4.9/5 |
| Quick turnaround time | 4.9/5 |
| Availability of technicians | 4.9/5 |
| Warranty | 4.5/5 |
Even without booking in advance, Kartek Automotive Services accommodated us right away. After asking us what the problem was, a mechanic approached to check out the brakes.
What we love about them is that they’ll try to explain the condition and the repairs needed using terms that we can easily understand. So if you’re like us who don’t know much about car parts and repairs, then you’re in the right place.
We all love an honest repair shop, and we’re glad that Kartek is one of them. They even showed us the worn-out brake pad before disposing of it.
We’re even more glad that the repair was done in less than an hour! So, we were still able to salvage the rest of our day after getting the brakes repaired.
Transparent team
“I visited Kartek and consulted Stewart about a repair on my car. He was a true professional and a gentleman; I appreciated his transparency! I would come back here.”
Çağdaş Kılıç, Google Review
Great communication skills
“I didn’t end going to Kartek but I had call over the phone with someone there. We talked through my brake problem and they were very helpful and transparent, giving me recommendations that would save me money and telling me exactly what I would be charged for if I came in. The transparency and honesty really instills confidence. If I ever have a problem with my car I will definitely take it here to get fixed.”
Griffin Staples, Google Review
2. Supertech Auto
Consumer Rating: B+
| Google reviews score | 4.7/5 |
| Total reviews | 5/5 |
| Score consistency | 5/5 |
Our Rating: B+
| Quality of parts | 4.5/5 |
| Accessibility | 4.5/5 |
| Ease of booking process | 4.5/5 |
| Close to bus or train stations | 4.5/5 |
| Efficiency | 4.6/5 |
| Quick turnaround time | 4.6/5 |
| Availability of technicians | 4.6/5 |
| Warranty | 4.5/5 |
Supertech Auto is one of the places we bring our car for our regular maintenance checks. As expected, they did a quick inspection of the brakes.
They also asked us to drive around the corner to fully gauge what’s happening. You can expect them to know the full diagnosis and inform you of the costs right away, which we really appreciate.
While they can quickly repair the car brake, having limited mechanics onsite meant that we had to queue a little longer. But don’t worry, if you’re ever in a rush just like us, you can take advantage of their courtesy vehicles while your car’s under repair.
And if you can’t personally visit them on-site, you’ll love that they can just email you the quotes. They will also send you photos and videos, along with the descriptions of the issues they found, ensuring you’re well-informed from start to finish.
Just take note that they’re not open on weekends, so emergency brake issues during that time won’t be accommodated!
Detailed inspection report
“Sarang and Daniel run a fantastic shop, they always check with me if they find something that needs repair and wasn’t part of the scheduled maintenance. You get a detailed inspection report that includes pictures which gives you confidence that the repairs are required. They will never let a safety issue be overlooked. 100% recommend these guys.”
Kieran Magee, Google Review
Provides an accurate quotation
“Good experience and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Supertech.
Have taken many cars to Supertech and never had any issues with quality of service. Sarang does a great job of explaining what work needs done and gives an accurate quote before starting the work.”
Robert Dunn, Google Review
3. Amin’s Auto Svc
Consumer Rating: B+
| Google reviews score | 4.8/5 |
| Total reviews | 5/5 |
| Score consistency | 5/5 |
Our Rating: B+
| Quality of parts | 4.6/5 |
| Accessibility | 4.8/5 |
| Ease of booking process | 4.8/5 |
| Close to bus or train stations | 4.8/5 |
| Efficiency | 4.5/5 |
| Quick turnaround time | 4.5/5 |
| Availability of technicians | 4.5/5 |
| Warranty | 4/5 |
Looking for a repair shop that could accommodate you even if it’s beyond their work hours? That’s Amin’s Auto Svc for you!
Well, technically, you just need to send them a message, or drop a note with your car keys in their key box. The next morning, you can expect someone from their team to reach out to you before they begin any inspection.
For those of you who are planning to walk in, better do it early in the morning, especially if you want them to check your car immediately. Afternoons in this repair shop are relatively busier, so expect to queue a little longer during this time.
Here, you can expect the front desk peeps to be pretty chill. But don’t worry, they will accommodate you as soon as you enter the shop.
We loved that we got a quotation right off the bat, but to be honest, we were a bit shocked when we saw that their prices were significantly higher than the others.
So here’s a tip: double-check if there are unnecessary add-ons, and ask them to focus on more urgent aspects of the repair. Plus, don’t hesitate to tell them if you’re working on a budget so they can review the quotation for you.
Offers free diagnosis
“Very reasonable oil change, quick and honest service! I took it in after hearing a strange noise from the brakes. They told me it was a minor issue that would resolve itself and didn’t charge for taking a look. Nice guys, would highly recommend 👍”
Brian Magennis, Google Review
Prompt team
“This place is great. The guy who runs it (Amin’s son) is super friendly. Service is always prompt and the prices seem very very fair. He’s done everything from oil changes and battery charges to major brake jobs and I’ve always felt well done by.”
Chris C, Google Review
4. Discount Auto Repair
Consumer Rating: B+
| Google reviews score | 4.6/5 |
| Total reviews | 5/5 |
| Score consistency | 5/5 |
Our Rating: B+
| Quality of parts | 4.8/5 |
| Accessibility | 4.8/5 |
| Ease of booking process | 4.8/5 |
| Close to bus or train stations | 4.8/5 |
| Efficiency | 4.8/5 |
| Quick turnaround time | 4.8/5 |
| Availability of technicians | 4.8/5 |
| Warranty | 4/5 |
This shop isn’t called Discount Auto Repair for no reason, so you can expect good rates and packages if you bring your car here for a brake repair.
In fact, when we got our alternator replaced a month ago, they offered great discounts when the warranty company didn’t approve the transaction.
But yes, this shop delivers more than discounts too! We love how Maz and his team make sure to check your car completely, ensuring they’re not missing out on any issues.
Meanwhile, you can also bring bigger vehicles like trucks and vans if you ever need a brake repair service for them.
If you’re pretty busy, you’ll love that this repair shop can work things around for you. They even accommodated us when we came in a few minutes before their closing time, and sorted out our brake issues in under an hour.
You can also expect that they have a lot of mechanics that can attend to multiple vehicles, so don’t get overwhelmed if you see lots of cars parked in their workshop.
Best part is that we never felt silly when we asked them questions about the brake and other car parts. So if you’re new to cars, then this shop is the perfect match for you!
Doesn’t oversell services
“It seems everything people said about this place is true. Maz definitely is a helpful guide, professional mechanic, and calming presence for his clients. I knew what I needed and wanted before going in, and came out feeling satisfied and not pushed. I noticed the extra suggestions made were things that I reasonably expected, having that area of the car aged and well-used. None were unreasonable upsale and none were made without thorough info and consent. I would recommend this place like so many others.”
Bruce Schei, Google Review
Trustworthy team
“I have been dealing with Maz at Discount Auto for over 5 years. They provide excellent service with fair prices and completely trustworthy. I’m a senior on a budget and twice the drivers side mirror became dismantled and Maz put it back in its place and wouldn’t charge me. I’m so grateful my friend Ali recommended them to me years ago.”
Phyllis Hansen, Google Review
5. Art’s Automotive
Consumer Rating: B+
| Google reviews score | 4.8/5 |
| Total reviews | 5/5 |
| Score consistency | 5/5 |
Our Rating: B+
| Quality of parts | 4.8/5 |
| Accessibility | 4.8/5 |
| Ease of booking process | 4.8/5 |
| Close to bus or train stations | 4.8/5 |
| Efficiency | 4.8/5 |
| Quick turnaround time | 4.8/5 |
| Availability of technicians | 4.8/5 |
| Warranty | 4/5 |
We always see Art’s Automotive on our way to work so we know where to bring our car if we ever need a car repair.
And true enough, just when we decided to drive to work an hour early, we heard thumping noises, which felt like a car part was about to detach.
As soon as we opened their gates, one of their mechanics greeted us right away. After telling him what we’ve observed, he asked follow-up questions to help him finalize the initial diagnosis.
He even tried to imitate the noise that we heard just to confirm! And before they give you the quotation, you can expect them to drive your car around to confirm your complaint.
Don’t hesitate to ask them questions if you ever need clarifications. They were patient with us, especially when we told them that we didn’t know much about cars.
What we loved about our conversation was when they gave us tips on how to stay alert if we experience another car emergency. Well, I guess that’s what we get from not having a waiting lounge in the shop!
And if you don’t want to wait for too long, plan your visit during the morning as afternoons at Art’s Automotive are busier, especially on a Friday.
High attention to detail
“You know when you feel like auto shops or mechanics are taking advantage? Not Art’s. TRUSTWORTHY. ACCOUNTABLE. Big words these days. Quality work, reasonable prices, and professional staff. What more do you need? Hands down the best auto shop in Vancouver. Happy to provide a Google review.”
Caley, Google Review
Mechanics are friendly
“I’m writing a second review for Arts after several years. Recently, I had some parts replaced, and I wanted to express my gratitude for keeping my car running smoothly and safely year after year. Their honesty, professionalism, and friendly service are truly appreciated.”
Cathay W, Google Review
