Brake Hose replacement & repair made easy

A brake hose is a flexible rubber hose that connects the brake calipers to the brake lines that are held in place on the car’s body. The reason for using hoses at this point is due the brake caliper being attached to the wheel and therefore is required to move with suspension and steering requirements.

• Mechanic will inspect the brake system.
• Mechanic will establish which brake hose needs to be replaced.
• Mechanic will replace the damaged brake hose.
• Mechanic will renew the brake fluid.
• Mechanic will bleed the brake system.
• Mechanic will inspect the brake system and will, if deemed safe, test drive the car.

Unless you are a qualified mechanic with the required skills, training and equipment to do the job, we strongly recommend a brake hose replacement is only carried out by a professional mechanic. ClickMechanic can help get you a vetted and local mechanic to carry out the work. Just enter your postcode and your car's registration number at the top of this page and select the work needed to get an instant fixed price up front.

• If you have been advised that there is weakness or damage picked up from an MOT or service
• If you have an obvious leak of fluid from the hose or its unions

Please note, if you experience any untoward characteristics in your braking, book a diagnostic inspection immediately and do not drive the vehicle

A brake hose replacement usually takes around 1.5 hours, but can take less or more time. Ultimately, the time that the job will take will depend on a number of factors, like your vehicle's make and model, year, as well as other factors. Select your car at the top of this page for information on job time and cost for your vehicle through ClickMechanic.

We would recommend that the brake hoses are replaced when a vehicle is 15 years old as part of any preventative maintenance plan. It doesn’t happen very often, however as the vehicle gets older and the miles add up then the risk of cuts and perishing are increased.

If you have any kind of damage or perishing of the brake hose itself, or the ferrules have become excessively corroded then replacement needs to be carried out straight away.

There isn’t really a great deal you can do to extend the life of the hoses other than to give them a good wash down with a pressure washer occasionally.

If you suspect there is any issue with your brake hoses or there are concerns about its age or condition, book an inspection with a professional mechanic immediate effect. Driving with worn brake hoses can impair brake performance and safety, and can be lethal.

Yes, corroded brake pipes or brake lines can be dangerous, hence they are often flagged as an MOT failure. The deterioration can lead to much reduced braking capability hence it is important to get it addressed immediately. If there are any concerns about the brake pipes or their condition or age or you experience any untoward characteristics in your braking, book a diagnostic inspection immediately and do not drive the vehicle.

The brake pipes are made of either steel or copper and are bent around the various aspects of the vehicle's body. Over time, however, they can deteriote and corrode. Hence, how long brake pipes last will depend on a number of factors.

It is advisable to replace brake lines as per the manufacturer's service guidance with recommended parts. As the brake lines are of course a safety critical part it is not something to put off or try to save on. If you suspect you may need a brake line replacement, a mechanic can check and advice and suggest on next steps.

Yes, a car can fail its MOT if the brake hoses are worn, for example if they are excessively damaged, chafed, twisted, stretched or are bulging under pressure.

Yes, the brake hoses are checked during an MOT test. As the braking system is a crucial aspect of the overall safety of the vehicle, the MOT tester will inspect every component of the braking system including brake hoses.

A brake hose which is damaged or worn out severely enough to expose the reinforcement will result in a fail. If it is slightly damaged, it can be a minor fault but if it is excessively corroded or chafed, then it will result in a major fail.

As brake hoses are constantly exposed to external factors such as moisture, heat and debris, they can naturally deteriorate over time. For example, if a car is not driven for a long time and is left exposed to environmental factors, the brake hose can get corroded. A brake fluid leak in the hose can also cause the hose to rupture.

On average, rubber brake hoses last about 5 years but depending on driving habits and quality of the brake hose it can last upto 15 years or more. Steel brake hoses may need to be replaced more frequently.

Yes, they can. Over time, the materials in brake hoses can deteriorate due to exposure to moisture, heat, debris, and road salt which can cause them to leak or fail.