There’s little like the thrill of shopping for a new car – whether you like configuring your perfect specification online, or heading into showrooms for test drives, or eagerly tracking down the very best deals.
It’s that last part we’re here to help with. Because even once you’ve found the car you want, there are two questions to deal with – how do you get rid of the car you currently own, and how do you ensure the best deal on your new model?
You could always list your old car in the classifieds and put it up on one of many sites offering cars for sale. But that can take time and effort – and if you’ve got an older, low-value car, it might not be worth the bother.
That’s where manufacturer scrappage schemes come into play. These solve two problems at once, taking your old car off your hands and guaranteeing you a healthy discount off a new model.
There’s also the potential benefit of taking an older, polluting car off the road and replacing it with a new and efficient model.
Scrappage schemes most benefit those who are buying their cars outright or financing them outside of manufacturer schemes, and those who have an older, low-value car.
Three car manufacturers offer scrappage deals at the moment – here’s all you need to know about them.
Kia
With attractive designs, lots of standard equipment and a long seven-year warranty there are lots of reasons to buy a new Kia. The scrappage discounts available are just another good reason.
Kia offers up to £1,750 off its Picanto and Rio small cars, and up to £2,250 off its Stonic small SUV.
To qualify, you’ll need to have owned your car for more than three months, and it must have been registered before 31 March 2015. You also can’t use the Kia scrappage scheme in conjunction with any other finance deal.
Lexus
Swapping your old car for a shiny, premium Lexus seems a very attractive proposition, doesn’t it? All Lexus models are available as hybrids, and if you’re trading up from something very old you’ll be highly impressed by the quality and technology on offer.
Its discounts are generous but bear in mind its cars aren’t cheap to begin with. That said, you can get up to £3,500 off a UX SUV, or up to £4,000 off an ES saloon or NX, RX or RX L SUV.
You’ll need to have owned your car for six months or more, and it must have been registered before 1 October 2012. With up to ten years of warranty cover on your new Lexus, it might even see you all the way through to the next scrappage scheme.
Renault
Renault’s attractive design, generous finance packages and wide range of models mean there should be something for everyone available on its ‘new for old’ scheme, which works like a scrappage scheme even though it’s not quite the same.
You’ll need to have a car registered for more than 90 days, after which there are discounts across most of the range. Enjoy up to £1,500 off an Arkana, or up to £2,000 off the Clio supermini. The Megane hatch, Kadjar SUV and Zoe electric car all qualify for up to £2,250 off, and you can even get up to £3,000 off a Captur SUV.
