🔧 Brake System Maintenance Suspension Repair Battery Service Oil Change Tire Repair
Honda Accord Brake, Suspension, Battery, Oil Change & Tire Repair Services
A Honda Accord owner in Denver used Service Buddy to review an $2,127 brake, suspension, battery, oil change, and tire repair quote. Service Buddy identified that while most brake and suspension prices were fair, the caliper overhaul and $90 oil change seemed overpriced. The tool recommended seeking a second opinion and considering DIY oil or battery replacement, highlighting potential savings of several hundred dollars by avoiding unnecessary services or upsells.
Potential DIY Savings
Get a second quote; watch for upsells. DIY battery or oil change.
Detailed Analysis
Advice On Your Quote
Brakes
Labor
- Front Pads R&R: $100 / Rear Pads R&R: $100
- Fair. Labor rates in your area are around $100–$135/hr. This is at the lower end for labor, so no problem here.
- Rotor R&R (each): $50
- Reasonable. This is an add-on to the regular pad job; $50 per rotor is normal (total $200 for four).
- Caliper Overhaul (each): $50
- Unusual/Upsell Alert. Caliper overhauls aren’t routine during brake work unless there’s a known issue. If you’re not having symptoms like sticking or leaking calipers, this could be an unnecessary upsell.
- Rear Speed Sensor R&R (one side): $100
- Reasonable. Labor for this usually runs up to $140, so you’re on the right side of average.
Parts
- Front Pads LX (1): $62.12 / Rear Pads (1): $60.00
- Fair. This is about what generic to mid-grade quality pads run. Dealership pads would be higher.
- Front Brake Rotors (2): $214 / Rear Brake Rotors (2): $181.44
- A bit high, but not outrageous. That’s about $107 per front rotor and $90.72 per rear. You can sometimes get name-brand rotors for $50–$85 each if you shop around or go DIY, but a professional shop charges a premium for direct sourcing and warranty.
- Front Suspension Link Right/Left (each): $46.80
- Very fair. These typically cost anywhere from $50–$200 each depending on the brand, so this is at the low end.
Brakes Total: $1,019.90
High, but explainable due to thoroughness. Factoring in every line item (including a caliper overhaul and speed sensor), you’re getting a complete overhaul which adds up. If you don’t need the caliper overhaul, you could remove that for cost savings.
Suspension
- Labor: Rear Suspension Strut R&R both sides: $325
- Fair. Rear struts typically require 2–4 hours, so this fits local rates.
- Parts: Rear Suspension Strut (2): $474
- Slightly high, but not egregious. OEM struts range $150–$300 each, with aftermarket options often less. $237 per strut puts you at the higher (but not unusual) end—probably for mid-grade or OEM parts.
Battery
- Labor: Battery Terminals R&R each: $37.50
- Somewhat high. Changing terminals is fairly quick and easy; this should be a flat fee or rolled into battery installation if you’re already replacing the battery.
- Parts: Battery: $189
- Within normal range. Name-brand, modern batteries for newer Hondas cost $100–$200 at auto stores. The shop price matches this—slightly high, but not a gouge.
- Our note: If you can install your own battery, decent ones start at $100–$120. Swapping terminals is also a simple DIY job if you’re comfortable with tools.
Oil Change
- Parts: Flat Fee $90
- High for oil change. Even for full synthetic oil on a Honda Accord, shops usually charge $50–$80 unless there’s an upcharge for high-performance oil or extra work (like tire rotation). DIY oil and filter will run you $30–$50.
Tire Repair
- Total: $30
- Very fair. Standard fee for most tire plugs or simple repairs.
Common Upsell Items per Attachment
- Caliper Overhaul: As noted above, this isn’t routine unless there’s a specific problem. If your calipers aren’t sticking or leaking, question this charge or ask to see the issue.
- Battery terminal replacement: Only needed if terminals are severely corroded or damaged, not as a routine battery swap.
- Other items (brake rotors, pads, etc.): All legitimate depending on their wear—if the rotors are within thickness spec and not warped, you don’t always need to replace them every time you do pads.
Honest Advice
- The overall quote is thorough and aggressive, not outrageously overpriced, but shaves toward the higher end.
- This appears to be a “let’s do EVERYTHING at once” approach. If you want to save money, ask the shop for:
- A breakdown of why calipers and sensors are included—what’s the evidence you need them?
- Whether all rotors genuinely need replacing, or if any can simply be resurfaced (if thickness allows).
- Whether suspension links and both struts need replacement, and if so, why.
- DIY and Independent Shop Options:
- Most of this work (battery, oil, basic brakes) is DIY-able if you have tools and some experience.
- An independent shop may do the brakes, battery, and oil for a few hundred dollars less.
- If you want to save, ask for just what’s needed now and defer what isn’t urgent.
Recommendations
- Get a second opinion before greenlighting caliper work and all four rotors.
- Battery and terminal swap can be much cheaper if you’re comfortable doing it yourself.
- The oil change is expensive—no shame in asking for an “oil change only” price or doing that one yourself.
- Everything else in the quote is within the expected price range for a shop in your area.
If any part of your car isn’t showing symptoms or hasn’t been directly inspected/tested to confirm a problem, you’re wise to question and prioritize based on true need—especially on pricier bolt-on jobs.
Overall, you’re not getting ripped off, but there are places to save if you’re open to it!
Quote Summary
Brakes
Labor:
– Front Pads R&R: $100.00
– Rear Pads R&R: $100.00
– Rotor R&R (each): $50.00
– Caliper Overhaul (each): $50.00
– Rear Speed Sensor R&R (one side): $100.00
Parts:
– Front Pads LX (1): $62.12
– Rear Pads (1): $60.00
– Front Brake Rotors (2): $214.00
– Rear Brake Rotors (2): $181.44
– Front Suspension Link Right (1): $46.80
– Front Suspension Link Left (1): $46.80
Suspension
Labor:
– Rear Suspension Strut R&R both sides: $325.00
Parts:
– Rear Suspension Strut (2): $474.00
Battery
Labor:
– Battery Terminals R&R each: $37.50
Parts:
– Battery (1): $189.00
Oil Change
Parts:
– Flat Fee: $90.00
Tire Repair
Price: $30.00
Overall Total if all tasks are completed: $2,127.90
📋 Services Quoted
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