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Firms exclude certain cars from scheme and models axed and prices hiked to avoid loss



The Scrappage Scheme is live! But while the cash-for-bangers initiative has already stirred up some showroom action, it’s also been marred by indecision and confusing small print.

Despite the Government’s original claim that makers would not be able to exclude certain models, vehicles with waiting lists of four months or more would be exempt.

Now, we can tell you exactly which vehicles will be affected – and as the table below shows, popular entry-level city cars and superminis are the most likely candidates.



Model - Scrappage price - Max weeks to wait

Vauxhall Agila 1.0 Expression - £6,295 - Model axed
Vauxhall Corsa 1.0 Expression - £6,695 - Model axed
Kia Picanto 1.0 - £4,195 - 23 (9)
Volkswagen Fox 1.0 E - £4,845 - 20
Suzuki Alto SZ2 - £4,795 - 17 (5)
Mazda 2 1.3 TS - £6,899 - 16 (6)
Ford Ka 1.2 Studio - £5,995 - 12 (16+)
Toyota Aygo 1.0 - £5,285 - 13 (14)
Ford Fiesta 1.25 Studio - £7,995 - 12 (14)
Renault Twingo 1.2 Freeway - £4,995 - 8 (10)
Fiat 500 1.2 Pop - £6,300 - 10 (8)
Hyundai i10 1.2 Classic - £4,995 - 10
Citroen C1 1.0 VT - £5,945 - 8


The Kia Picanto 1.0 tops the league, dealers and manufacturers said that buyers would have to wait up to 23 weeks for this car. VW’s Fox 1.2 could also fall foul of the four-month rule – with a 20-week wait anticipated.

While this news could leave many motorists disappointed, it’s a handy get-out clause for makers concerned about selling base-spec city cars at a loss. But some – including Vauxhall – aren’t taking any chances, and are dropping these machines from their line-up altogether. It’s axed its Agila and Corsa Expression. “Knocking £1,000 off that trim simply isn’t economical,” a spokesman confirmed.

Insiders claim other firms may strategically delay the launch of new city cars, to keep them out of the running. Meanwhile, Nissan has increased the price of its imminent new Pixo by £1,000 – effectively removing the manufacturer discount on the car. That leaves the entry Visia model at £6,995. A spokeswoman claimed the price increase was “nothing to do with scrappage”.

All this manoeuvring has also left dealers confused. They didn’t always agree with manufacturer estimates of delivery times – or the rules of the scheme itself.

One Renault salesman in Exeter said the Twingo 1.2 Freeway wasn’t available on the initiative “as there’s not enough profit in the car”. But Renault assured us that was “an error”.