Government Scrappage Scheme

[andy_k]

Where does it say that you have to scrap your car?

it doesn't

 

[Smiley]

I'm certainly not saying that the scheme is a good or bad thing but suffice it to say that in Germany new car sales are up by 20% since the scheme was introduced at the beginning of 2009. It would appear owners are voting with their feet?
The pre 2001 VED dispensation may also disappear and how many people are going keep an old car on the road if its going to cost £500+ to licence it?
We all like to think our old mercs are going to last for ever but in the end body rot is going to do for many of them despite the lavish attention of devoted owners. If you are lucky enough to have a bodily sound car then that's fine but if MOT time has become the nail-biting annual ordeal it is for some owners then the idea is not without its attractions.

Mind you this all hypothetical since I doubt the government has any money left after bailing out the banks. I suppose they could always print some more.

I do not think there is a pre 2001 "dispensation". The fact is that prior to 2001 the CO output for the cars was not recorded so it is impossible to implement the same scheme for older cars; therefore they will stay on a fixed rate. Now they could decide to increase that rate but that would be another gross injustice - 1997 VW Polo 1.4 having to pay £400 pa tax for example - not going to win a lot of votes is it?

 

[MrT]

Be realistic, they aren't going to tax a 1.4 Polo at £400. But it wouldn't be beyond the realms of possibility to introduce a 2.5litre and above supertax of £400 to sit above the current levels.

 

[WLeg]

My father-in-law has a 1998 W202 C200 elegance. He's been thinking of getting a Golf/Jazz/etc (he's 73) for the last few years 9he's old and doesn't move fast) . In his specific situation, this helps, as he's been offered £750.00 PX....... I told him to keep the Merc, which for the last 2 years, he has....

 

[grober]

My thoughts exactly. The present pre 2001 VED of below and above 1.5 litres is based solely on engine capacity and seems increasingly vulnerable to an increase. If they did bring in such a change the government would then argue--- we gave you a £2000 incentive to change to a less polluting car--- you chose not to take it? I don't agree with such a move but just trying to be realistic about what the future may hold.

 

[Smiley]

Hmmm oh dear you could be right - would scupper my old w124 diesel 3 litre estate......I would not fancy paying 400 quid a year for a car worth about £1000.

 

[stevesey]

Hmmm oh dear you could be right - would scupper my old w124 diesel 3 litre estate......I would not fancy paying 400 quid a year for a car worth about £1000.

Interesting why you think like that, including tax, diesel, insurance, servicing etc a £1000 car probably costs far more than £1000 a year to run - so why baulk if the tax costs a little more. Tax on a newer diesel estate of that size won't be much different, running costs similar and depreciation will certainly be more. It's just a physcological point you need to get over when significant expenses make up a high proportion of the cars value.

 

[grober]

CAR SCRAPPAGE a non runner?

Here we go! http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article2372591.ece

 

[bolide]

Hmmm oh dear you could be right - would scupper my old w124 diesel 3 litre estate......I would not fancy paying 400 quid a year for a car worth about £1000.

Why not? You'd only be paying about £200 a year more than you pay now

Selling a car to avoid paying a tax of £4 / week doesn't seem like a good move to me. Particularly as the tax on the fuel you use runs at about £4 / gallon!

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[Will]

My view on this is that surely it won't have a huge effect on those of us who drive old cars because we choose to, but may effect those who drive old cars because they have to (for example, people with 10-15 year old run of the mill cars who are on lower incomes).

I think the point that *** makes is quite valid - it's back to the 'yes car credit' type ethos where people feel that they are entitled to a good standard of living, whatever their background or income etc - why shouldn't they have a shiny new car etc.

The danger that I can see here is that it tempts people to buy new cars because they think they're getting a good deal - even if they end up in debt by doing so, paying interest on a loan etc (whereas they might have owned their older, functional car outright).

It's really just another trick IMHO. Something to tempt you into buying something that you possibly don't want/need - which is a significant part of how this recession started...

And don't forget that the £2000 (indirectly) comes from us anyway, so don't think it's money for nothing

All IMHO of course

Will

 

[Dieselman]

Here we go! http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article2372591.ece

Nice link grober.

An extra £2000 if one choses an electric car, and Boris plans to make London the electric car capitol of Europe.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article2368596.ece