No. There is no national government car scrappage scheme in the UK in 2026. The only UK-wide scheme ran in 2009. London's ULEZ scheme, the largest since, closed to new applications on 8 September 2024. What remains are occasional manufacturer trade-in offers, which change without notice, and a small number of local schemes, most of which are now closed.
Where things stand
2026Manufacturer offers, and they are hard to pin downChanges constantly
Individual brands sometimes run their own trade-in discounts, historically between £750 and £3,000 off a new car from that manufacturer. These are sales promotions rather than government schemes, and the discount can only be spent with the brand offering it.
We checked the published lists in August 2026 and they contradicted each other: some named brands as currently running schemes, while a main dealer's own site stated there were no national manufacturer schemes at all. That tells you how quickly these change and how little the secondhand lists are worth. If you want to know whether a brand is running one today, ask that manufacturer or a franchised dealer directly.
2019–24London's ULEZ schemeClosed
Opened for central and inner London, then widened to all Londoners in January 2023. It committed £186m to around 54,000 applicants on top of £61m for the earlier zone. Cars and motorcycles accounted for 36,008 approvals worth £69.5m; vans and minibuses for 17,936 approvals worth £116.5m. The Mayor closed it to new applicants on 8 September 2024, with compliance across London by then above 96%.
2009The only national scheme there has ever beenEnded
Vehicle owners received £2,000, jointly funded by government and the motor industry, for scrapping a car over ten years old and buying new. Almost 400,000 claims were made. It was designed to support car sales during the financial crisis, not to clean up the air, and it has never been repeated.
Is anything available where I live?
Possibly, but far less than there was. A number of councils ran vehicle replacement grants alongside their Clean Air Zones, and most have now closed to new applications as compliance targets were met. Because these open and close locally and without much publicity, the only reliable answer is to check your own council's Clean Air Zone page directly rather than trust a list on any website, including this one.
One exception worth knowing: in London, the grace period for not-for-profit community minibuses was extended to 24 October 2027.
Be careful with scheme lists onlineMany pages ranking for this search still describe the London ULEZ scheme, the Ford scheme and others as though they are open. They closed in 2024 and 2021 respectively. Always check the date on any page listing a scrappage scheme, and confirm on the council or manufacturer's own site before making plans around it.
What a scrappage scheme is actually worth to you
It is worth comparing the two routes honestly, because they are not the same transaction. Our figures for what scrap cars are currently paying are updated quarterly.
| Scrappage scheme | Scrapping the car |
|---|
| What you get | A discount off a new car | Cash for the vehicle |
| Typical amount | £750–£3,000 | £226 average, most £154–£302 |
| Obligation | You must buy a car from that brand | None |
| Choice of vehicle | Limited to eligible models | Buy anything, or nothing |
| Availability | Occasional, brand by brand | Any vehicle, any time |
Scrap figures are what we actually paid the owners of 11,412 vehicles collected in the three months to August 2026.
A scrappage discount only beats scrapping outright if you were already going to buy that particular new car. If you were not, a £2,000 discount on a £25,000 vehicle is not £2,000 in your pocket. It is a reason to spend £23,000.
If you decide scrapping is the better route, our guide to scrapping a car legally covers what you need and what to expect, and prices vary by area, so it is worth checking coverage where you live.
Common questions
Will the government bring back a national scrappage scheme?
There is no announced plan to. The 2009 scheme was a response to the financial crisis, and more recent policy has focused on emissions standards and clean air zones rather than payments to scrap vehicles.
Can I still apply to the London ULEZ scheme?
No. It closed to new applications on 8 September 2024 and final grant payments were made in 2025.
Does my car need to be running to qualify for a manufacturer scheme?
Usually yes, and there are normally conditions on how long you have owned it and its emissions standard. Terms differ by brand, so check before committing.
Is it better to sell privately than scrap?
If the vehicle is roadworthy, has an MOT and someone will buy it, almost certainly. Scrapping is the right route when a car is beyond economic repair, has failed its MOT expensively, or nobody wants it.
What do I need to scrap a car?
The vehicle, proof of your identity and address, and ideally the V5C, though it is not required. If you have lost it, see scrapping a car without a V5C. You must use an Authorised Treatment Facility and you should receive a Certificate of Destruction, which is the document proving the vehicle has been permanently destroyed.
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Get my priceSources: Mayoral Decision MD3292, Greater London Authority, for the closure and value of the London vehicle scrappage scheme. House of Commons Library briefing CBP-8091 for the 2009 scheme. Scheme availability changes; this page was last checked on 27 August 2026. For twelve years of collection data see the Million Car Study.
