William Lipovsky
Several national auto service chains offer rotor turning — also known as rotor resurfacing — as an alternative to replacing rotors.
When you hit the brakes in your car, the brake pads press against the rotors and create friction that slows wheel rotation and then stops the vehicle. Both pads and rotors become worn down with use.
Depending on the type of vehicle you own, you may be able to extend the life of your brakes by having the rotors turned, making the surfaces smooth and even. There are several national auto repair shops that offer this service.
It’s important to note that manufacturers have minimum thickness guidelines for rotors, and auto repair shops are unable to resurface rotors if the process would bring them below the recommended minimum thickness.
See below for the list of auto care centers that turn rotors, including the expected cost and service time.
What We Recommend
For the lowest advertised prices — if your rotors are thick enough to not require replacement — you will likely want to take your car to O’Reilly Auto Parts for rotor turning/resurfacing.
Other nationwide chains that offer rotor turning for comparable prices include Meineke and Monro.
Comparison Table
See the table below for a quick comparison of the rotor turning cost and service time at the shops that offer the service, then select any shop or scroll for more details.
| Auto Shop/Service Center | All Locations? | Cost | Approximate Service Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| O'Reilly Auto Parts | No | Around $10 to $40 per rotor | 30 to 60 minutes |
| Meineke Car Care Center | Yes | Around $10 per rotor | One hour |
| Pep Boys | No | About $25 for pre-removed rotors and $40 for on-car service | One to two hours |
| Firestone Complete Auto Care Center | Yes | Varies by location and vehicle make/model | One to two hours |
| Midas | Yes | About $15 for pre-removed rotors and $20 to $30 per rotor otherwise | One to two hours |
| Goodyear Auto Service | No | About $20 per rotor | 45 minutes to one hour |
| Precision Tune Auto Care | Yes | Varies depending on warranty coverage | About one hour |
The List
Below, we list the auto shops and repair centers that turn rotors, ordered starting with the lowest priced options.
Keep in mind that prices vary, and rotor resurfacing tends to be less expensive at auto parts retailers than at auto repair centers.
For additional options, you can contact your local garage or mechanic and ask if it offers rotor turning.
1. O’Reilly Auto Parts
- Restrictions: Most O’Reilly Auto Parts locations offer rotor turning, but the rotors must be thick enough not to require replacement.[1]
- Cost: Typically $10 to $40 per rotor[2]
- Service time: 30 to 60 minutes[2]
- Find a location
2. Meineke Car Care Center
- Restrictions: All Meineke Car Care Centers offer rotor turning, but the rotors must be thick enough not to require replacement.[3]
- Cost: Around $10 per rotor[4]
- Service time: About one hour[4]
- Find a location
3. Pep Boys
- Restrictions: Only some Pep Boys locations offer rotor turning. Rotors must be thick enough not to require replacement.[5]
- Cost: Varies depending on whether the rotors are attached to the car; usually around $40 if attached and $25 if pre-removed.[6]
- Service time: One to two hours; less if the rotors have been pre-removed[6]
- Find a location
4. Firestone Complete Auto Care
- Restrictions: All Firestone Complete Auto Care locations offer rotor turning, but rotors can only be turned if also replacing the brake pads.[7]
- Cost: Varies by location and your car’s make and model[7]
- Service time: One to two hours[8]
- Find a location
5. Midas
- Restrictions: All Midas locations offer rotor turning, but the rotors must be thick enough not to require replacement.[9]
- Cost: $20 to $30 per rotor, depending on the vehicle type and if the rotors must be removed in the shop; $15 per rotor if the rotors have been pre-removed[10]
- Service time: One to two hours; less than an hour if the rotors have been pre-removed[10]
- Find a location
6. Goodyear Auto Service
- Restrictions: Service available at most locations; rotors must be thick enough not to require replacement.[11]
- Cost: About $20 per rotor[12]
- Service time: 45 minutes to one hour[12]
- Find a location
7. Precision Tune Auto Care
- Restrictions: Only included as part of the lifetime brake warranty[13]
- Cost: Varies based on the cost of the individual warranty[13]
- Service time: About one hour, unless other services are needed[13]
- Find a location
Places That Don’t Offer Rotor Turning
Not all auto parts stores and service centers turn rotors.
In the course of our research, we found that the following places don’t offer rotor turning:
- AutoZone
- Jiffy Lube (replacements only)
- NAPA AutoCare Centers
- Tuffy Tire & Auto (replacements only)
- Walmart
For more on auto shops and services, check out our article comparing NAPA, AutoZone, Advance Auto Parts, and O’Reilly Auto Parts.
