Car Scrappage scheme or sell privately?

skellington

Finally thinking about a new car, after having this one for many many years, and its showing its age.

VW Golf 2.0, Drives great, but would only be worth a few hundred pounds s/h.!

I am asking, whether its easier or be more beneficial to sell privately s/h and get a newer car s/h (maybe 3 or 4 years old), or whether to buy new and use the Government scrappage scheme which is advertised a lot?

Anyone have any experience of this? Which would be more beneficial if indeed at all?

I understand that there is no 'free money' and that a £2000 scrappage scheme from the Government would just add it on, to take away, hidden in the price.

If not, are there any particular sites online for selling say VW's or cars in general, eBay? Gumtree? Autotrader? (never had to do this before) to get the best exposure without spiralling costs of fees?
Or indeed anything else that could be available that I haven't thought!of?

Thank you for any help.

wongataa

There is no government scrappage scheme. Various manufacturers have them but they aren't government ones.

LandyAndy

As above. All scrappage schemes advertised now are just dressed up discounts from manufacturers to make you think that you are doing something for the environment.

The government scheme ended many years ago.

Chomeur

There is a government scheme. But you have to be in London and claiming benefits. Wouldn't mind using it myself but have too much savings to claim benefits.

King_Nothing

So get £500 part-ex or private sale from the Golf and buy a 3-4 year old car which has probably lost a good few thousand in depreciation already, maybe even 5 figures depending on the car and condition, or "scrappage" it on a new car and get a perceived £2k saving, while having to spend thousands more than the 4 year old car.

AdrianC

Chomeur wrote: »

There is a government scheme. But you have to be in London and claiming benefits. Wouldn't mind using it myself but have too much savings to claim benefits.

It's TfL, rather than "government".
https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra-low-emission-zone/car-and-motorcycle-scrappage-scheme

If the OP's Golf is petrol, then so long as it's Euro4, so newer than about 2004, it'd be ULEZ exempt so not eligible.

skellington

AdrianC wrote: »

It's TfL, rather than "government".
https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra-low-emission-zone/car-and-motorcycle-scrappage-scheme

If the OP's Golf is petrol, then so long as it's Euro4, so newer than about 2004, it'd be ULEZ exempt so not eligible.

I don't live in London unfortunately, and I am not on any benefits..

However my Golf is year 2000, and it is Petrol, but not sure what Euro4 is?
HTH

AdrianC

skellington wrote: »

I don't live in London unfortunately, and I am not on any benefits..

However my Golf is year 2000, and it is Petrol, but not sure what Euro4 is?
HTH

Then there's no government (local or national) scrappage for you. Only marketing discounts from some manufacturers against brand new cars.

Euro4 is the emission standard that came in around 2004 - that's where petrols start to be allowed into the London ULEZ without paying. Diesels need to be a lot newer, Euro6, 2014 or so.

DoaM

Euro 4 is a definition that covers emissions standards (mainly) that vehicles meet, and these standards are defined by the EU. The latest is Euro 6 (I think) which a diesel vehicle has to meet to be zero-rated for ULEZ.

skellington

Ok thanks, so the best option is to sell privately i guess? maybe a VW site or enthusiasts etc might be an option?

AdrianC

DoaM wrote: »

Euro 4 is a definition that covers emissions standards (mainly) that vehicles meet, and these standards are defined by the EU.

They're wider than that - they're UNECE - United Nations Economic Commission for Europe - so they'll still apply post-Brexit. They're also rapidly becoming one of the main global standards, with the Far East and North America being the main exceptions.

Yep, Euro6 is the current standard. Euro7 hasn't been defined yet, so is a way off. Testing how standards are met has changed in recent years, so you'll see a lot of manufacturers listing their new cars as "Euro 6.2" - same standard, stricter testing.