A Car Parts Direct spokesman said: "More motorists are now shopping online to get a cheaper deal, and high street stores are struggling to stay competitive." He added drivers could save more than £200 on a single part, if they compared prices.
A pair of front disc brakes for a Jaguar S-Type, for example, cost £323.28 at one Halfords store, while a franchised dealer charged £159.15 and Car Parts Direct had them for £119.92. At £26.96, its price for a pair of Toyota Avensis front brake pads was less than half the £69.11 charged at one official franchise.
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