I have a 2019 Seat Ibiza and I just took it to the shop because I felt the car was sinking a lot when braking. They're telling me I need to change the brake pads and also have the suspension checked because it's worn out. Is it going to cost me a lot to do both jobs at the same time or is it better to do them separately?
What makes sense is to do both jobs on the same shop visit, but not necessarily have them done in parallel. The reason is practical: if they're going to have the car up in the air checking the suspension anyway, they might as well swap out the brake pads without taking the vehicle down again. That saves you shop time and mechanics often knock a bit off labor when jobs overlap like that.
Now here's the trick that people don't mention: before you commit to anything, ask the shop to spell out exactly which suspension components are damaged. It's not the same thing to just replace shocks versus swapping out bushings, control arms, or sway bars. Worn suspension is a really broad term. Some shops will tell you that you need the whole job done when maybe only a few parts actually need urgent attention. I always get a written diagnostic with details before I say yes to anything.
In your case, that dip when you brake is a serious warning sign you shouldn't ignore - the front suspension is probably compromised and that's affecting how your car distributes weight during braking. But before you spend the money, get a second opinion from another shop, even just to confirm. A lot of times the same problem has cheaper solutions if someone else takes a look. Once you make the call, yeah, do it all at once.
Prices vary quite a bit depending on the workshop and where you live, but I'll give you a general idea. Brake pads on a 2019 Ibiza usually run between €150-300 with labor included, depending on whether it's the front or rear axle. Suspension is more expensive and more complicated: changing shock absorbers, springs, or stabilizer bars can range from €400-500 up to €1000+ if there's more damage. The good news is that doing it all at once is usually a bit cheaper than separately, because the mechanic doesn't have to take the car apart twice 🚗
If they tell you the car dips when braking, that's a sign the suspension is in bad shape and it's important to fix it now. I wouldn't recommend putting it off because it affects safety and tire wear is going to get worse. My advice is to get a detailed quote at that workshop and maybe one more to compare, because prices vary a lot. Specifically ask what suspension parts need replacing (shock absorbers, springs, etc.) because sometimes the initial quote balloons once they start taking things apart.
Doing both at the same time definitely saves you money because the shop only charges you once for having the car on the lift, instead of two separate visits with their respective labor costs.
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