Scrappage schemes are a great opportunity to switch from an old car into a brand-new car.
These incentive schemes aim to give buyers thousands of pounds off their used model in order to put towards a brand-new car — and that’s on top of its normal part exchange value. The schemes are run in a bid to get older, polluting vehicles off the road, and to also increase the number of low-emission models on UK roads. Most schemes apply to both petrol and diesel cars.
A broad number of brands are now running them, which mean there’s plenty of choice, should you be wishing to take advantage. We’ve listed those currently offered…
MG
MG’s ‘Swappage’ scheme applies solely to the MG3 hatchback, with the firm offering a minimum of £2,000 towards a brand-new car. Current owners of MGs are also able to save an additional £500 on top of this, too, in a bid to encourage past loyalists back to the manufacturer.
The offer doesn’t apply to the entry-level MG3 Explore specification, and qualifying cars being part-exchanged need to be at least seven years old and owned for at least three months by the current owner. The new MG also need to be on the road by September.
Hyundai
Hyundai’s scrappage schemes is one of the most generous, with buyers able to save up to £4,000 off a new car.
Discounts are available across most of the Hyundai range, with the most generous £4,000 discount available on the i30 (with the exception of the N and N Line) and the seven-seat Santa Fe SUV.
Eligible cars that are being traded in must have been registered before October 1, 2011 and owned for three months. Your new vehicle must be registered no later than the end of September to qualify.
Kia
Hyundai’s fellow South Korean manufacturer Kia is also offering a generous scrappage scheme.
Models available include the Picanto, Stonic, Venga and Sportage, with the first eligible for a £2,000 saving and the latter three available with a £2,500 scrappage discount.
Your new Kia must be bought by September 30, and to qualify, the car being traded-in must have been registered before July 2012 and have been in your name for at least three months.
Mazda
The Mazda scrappage scheme is one of the longest-running available, and it is also the most generous by some margin.
Its scheme is available on any of its cars that produce less than 144g/km of CO2 (with the exception of the all-new 3 hatchback), with the smallest discounts being £3,000 and the largest being an impressive £6,000 off a new Mazda6 diesel.
To qualify, the car being part-exchanged must have been registered by the end of 2010 and have been owned by you for at least 60 days. Your new car must also be registered by the end of September.
Ford
Ford is currently offering at least £2,000 towards any car that’s handed in as part of this scrappage offer.
Its offer covers newer cars than most, with the scheme including cars registered before January 1, 2013. To qualify for the discount, you must have owned the vehicle for at least 90 days.
The offer covers most of Ford’s car and van range, with the exception of Zetec trim levels and the hot ST models. The car must be ordered by the end of September 2019 and registered by next March.
Renault
Renault’s scheme is another one which covers the vast majority of the French firm’s range. The scrappage allowance varies depending on model between £1,000 and £3,000, with the most generous discount being available on the Kadjar crossover. The all-electric Zoe hatchback is also available with a £2,000 contribution — as well as a further £1,000 during July.
Cars and vans can both be traded in, providing they are registered before April 2012 and in your name for 90 day. Unlike other schemes, all vehicles part-exchanged in this scheme are guaranteed to be scrapped.
Toyota
Toyota’s scrappage offer is available on its two smallest cars – the Aygo and the Yaris. The former is eligible for a £2,000 saving, with the Yaris increasing this to £2,500. Hybrid models are excluded from the offer, along with entry-level Active and X specifications.
The car being scrapped needs to have been registered by September 30, 2011 and owned by you for six months. The new Toyota must also be registered by the end of September 2019.
Vauxhall
Known as ‘Trade Up’, Vauxhall’s new scrappage scheme enables you to save £4,000 (potentially more) off the price of a new car when trading in your old one. The discounts are available off the Viva, Astra, Crossland X, Mokka X and Grandland X as part of the scrappage allowance.
The new Vauxhall needs to be ordered or registered by September 30, 2019.
