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Which manufacturers are offering 'scrappage', and what's the best one?
As the demand for a new car in the UK has wavered somewhat, some motor manufacturers have introduced a new scheme called 'scrappage' designed to encourage you to trade in your vehicle for a brand new or nearly new offering. 
Cars manufactured since the early 2000s have been built to be sustainable and last a lot longer than previous models. That's one of the many reasons manufacturers have introduced the scrappage scheme to encourage car owners to change.
What is a scrappage scheme?
A scrappage scheme is where owners of older vehicles are offered increased discounts or allowances to encourage them to trade in their older car for a new one.
The main aim of the scrappage scheme is to attract owners of older, less environmentally friendly vehicles to trade in the car and buy a new, much more efficient vehicle.
Traded in vehicles then MUST be scrapped. They cannot be passed on for resale.
The impact of the scrappage scheme is twofold:
- It stimulates the new car sale market in the UK
- It removes many older, less environmentally-friendly vehicles from the roads permanently
How are the motor manufacturers promoting 'Scrappage'?
Ford are still the best selling car manufacturer in the UK and have been for the majority of the last five years. However, despite their mass-market success in the UK, they have introduced the scrappage scheme to keep the sales figures going in the right direction. Ford are currently offering £2,000 off a new car if you trade yours in. They are also very few to apply the scrappage in conjunction with any other deals or discounts.
Other brands such as Lexus and Toyota have seen an increase in sales in the UK, following the introduction of their scrappage schemes. Lexus has labelled their scheme as 'make the switch', encouraging you to purchase a new hybrid model and plan for the future. Following the government crackdown on diesel models, hybrid and all-electric cars have seen a dramatic increase in sales, whilst the sales of diesel models have struggled.
Lexus is a front runner in terms of the amount offered as part of the scrappage scheme, with as much as £4,000 being discounted on brand new NX and RX models.
If you choose to 'make the switch and trade in any petrol or diesel model, you could benefit from one of the most generous scrappage allowances. Lexus insists on you having been the vehicle owner for over six months before trading the vehicle in.
Mercedes-Benz has tried to combat the decline in diesel model sales by offering a scrappage allowance only applicable when purchasing a new diesel, hybrid or all-electric model. Mercedes have confirmed that the initiative has been implemented across Europe, with the assistance being as much as £2,000.
Citroen has announced that you could potentially receive an allowance of £6,400 off the price of a C3 Picasso. The C3 Picasso is due to be replaced in the coming months, and the scrappage allowance will encourage customers to take advantage of the saving despite the model being replaced within the next few months.
Citroen has announced an end date on the scrappage scheme of 31st December 2017. DS, now separated from the Citroen brand, has been promoting a massive £5,500 allowance against the cost of a brand new DS 5 model.
Renault is the latest to join the scrappage allowance party, announcing potential allowances of up to £5,200 off a new car. Their incentive is available on both cars and vans included within the range.
BMW, Mini, and Vauxhall are also currently offering a scrappage allowance, so be sure to shop around to find the best deal for you before buying a new car this winter. Please be aware that the scrappage allowance is subject to different terms and conditions, such as the age of the vehicle, and also, you have to have been the owner for a certain amount of time.
It is not the first time that the UK Government have used a scrappage scheme to stimulate sales. It may not be the last either. It certainly provides a fantastic opportunity for car owners to upgrade their vehicles for the best deal possible.
Are you going to take advantage of the scrappage scheme? Have you bought a car on scrappage already? If so, let us know in the comments below.