Cash for scrap scheme: Q&A

23/04/09

Want to get the £2000 discount, but unsure where to start. Here's answers to your questions about the scheme

How old ds my car have to be?
For now, any vehicle first registered with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency on or before the end of August, 1999, should qualify for the £2000 discount.

Will any type of old car be eligible?
Yes.

Can I buy any car?
Again, and as far as we know, yes. The only problem may be that the scheme depends on car manufacturers contributing half the discount.The good news is almost all have said that they will.

So can I go buy an old car and then drive it straight to a dealer and claim my £2000 discount?
No. To qualify, you must have owned the car – and be registered with the DVLA as its keeper – for a minimum of a year.

My car is old enough, but it has just failed its MoT test. Can I claim on it?
 To qualify, cars must have a current MoT certificate, or one that has expired not more than14 days before the new-car order is placed.

Ds it apply only if buying a new car?
Yes. At one time, it looked likely that the Govt would also allow nearly-new cars up to a year old. But they haven’t been included.

My car isn’t quite old enough. But it will be by the end of the year. Should I wait?
The govt has said that the scheme is to run until the end of next February. But it has also been made clear that, once the £300m budget for the scheme is gone, it may not be topped up. So the scheme could finish early. And, in any event, it isn't clear whether the age 'deadline' will be fixed or move forward.

Where will the money come from?
The Govt has set aside £300m of taxpayers’ money to fund the scheme. That will pay for the discounts and also for the cost of running the scheme. If you trade your car, you’ll get £1000 from that fund, and a further £1000 at least  from the manufacturers. However, the scheme is voluntary for car makers. Most will take part – Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Audi, BMW, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Citroën, Daihatsu, Fiat, Fiat Professional, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Isuzu, Jaguar Land Rover, Kia, Lexus, LTI, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, MINI, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Renault, Peugeot, Proton, Porsche, Saab, SEAT, Škoda, smart, Subaru, Suzuki, Toyota, Vauxhall, Volkswagen and Volvo have each said that they will.

I have an old van. Will it qualify?
Yes - if you are thinking of trading it for a new one. Or you could swap it for a new car.

I live abroad. Can I get the discount if I buy from the UK?
Only if the car has been registered with a keeper at a UK address. And it will need to have been registered with the same owner for at least a year.

Is there something still bothering you? Post a question below and we’ll find an answer – promise.