Car Scrappage Scheme?

VeryFrustrated

I understand that when the Labour government introduced the car scrappage scheme (1-2 years ago), the car manufacturers knew weeks/months before the dealers and the general public.

Although it is (very) highly unlikely that the Conservative current government will introduce a scheme, I would be annoyed if I missed it. I have a 10+ year old car which was too young for the last scrappage scheme but is now (March 2011) too old for the rare car dealer that does good swappage schemes (good = better than actual value of car).

So, my question is ... is anyone aware of a new scrappage scheme coming in in the next few weeks/months?

I do not want to start a 'which government is best' discussion or a 'you must live on another planet if you think there will be a scrppage scheme ...' discussion. Just a simple and polite response would be great.

Thank you!

Kilty_2

I seriously doubt they'll do this again. It was a complete waste of money the last time IMHO considering the manufacturers just dropped the prices afterwards. I've just bought a Kia Picanto for £5550 - it was £4995 with scrappage iirc.

So many good cars went to waste too.

VeryFrustrated

Thank you - I did hear some people say that it was a bit artificial because manufacturers tended to increase car prices to compensate for the scrappage discount. Also, a mechanic friend tells me that, due to the last scrappage scheme, there is a shortage of cheap small old cars (e.g. for first time drivers). So, I suspect you are right. I guess I'll hold on until after Budget Day - when I'll get confirmation that scrappage won't happen in the near future.

Kilty wrote: »

I seriously doubt they'll do this again. It was a complete waste of money the last time IMHO considering the manufacturers just dropped the prices afterwards. I've just bought a Kia Picanto for £5550 - it was £4995 with scrappage iirc.

So many good cars went to waste too.

eschaton

you must live on another planet if you think there will be a scrppage scheme

Matt1977

May be best to negotiate hard on the trade-in for the new car. See what the dealers think. Also a good idea to see them towards the end of the month as the salespersons will be keen to hit their targets.

The scrappage scheme was a horrible waste, imo. Seeing a pic of the airfield of decent 10 year old cars one year ago when I was hard up financially and without a car was painful.

The 1990s Toyota or Mazda, parked up in that airfield would have been ideal for me if it still had some MOT left on it.

Kilty_2

There's no doubt a lot of bulletproof Toyotas (lets be honest, 10 years ago was Toyota's real strong time for producing unbreakable cars) etc went to waste

More interesting stuff too, a few classics went in for an ecobox

MX5huggy

I guess I'll hold on until after Budget Day - when I'll get confirmation that scrappage won't happen in the near future.

Don't bother there will be no mention of scrappage in the budget.

Flyboy152

For those who think that the scrappage scheme was a waste of time needs to look at the SMMT figures to prove that it wasn't.

http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/latest-business-news/2011/02/05/end-of-car-scrappage-scheme-is-still-hurting-51140-28116594/

And even in the Torygraph:

Car scrappage scheme 'saved 4,000 UK jobs'

emmell

Ford, amongst other manufacturers, increased their list prices by £2,000 on a Fiesta, then guess what, as soon as scrappage finished you could get £2,000 discount. As Kilty says, car prices are a lot more realistic now than they were 2 years ago.
ML.

emmell

I agree Flyboy, it did save jobs but that was because the Government enticed people to buy new cars who are not normally new car buyers.
They targeted a different market, and whoever thought of it deserves some praise.
ML.

Inactive

Not a " scrappage " scheme as such, Hyundai are offering large discounts for part exchanges of older cars, up to £3000.

Kia have a similar " switch " scheme with varying discounts.