Skip advert
Advertisement

Scrappage Special - Star buys in three price brackets

As buyers cash in on the Scrappage Scheme, we rate eight of the top cars to spend your £2,000 discount on, in three key price brackets.

There's never been a better time to cash in on your old banger. The Scrappage Scheme gives owners of cars registered before 31 August 1999 £2,000 off the price of a new model if they send their existing one to the crusher – but some deals are even more generous.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The industry has reacted swiftly. Even as we were completing this road test, prices were being tweaked, and some firms have rushed to launch cut-price models to tempt buyers to sign up. But we’ve done the hard work for you, by picking our favourite Scrappage buys in three price categories.

The discount brings some city cars below £5,000, so that’s where we start. Then we pick a trio of buys on sale for less than £10,000 thanks to the initiative.

There’s something for everyone in our sub-£16,000 category, with a sporty MINI, spacious Skoda and practical Ford. Of course, owners of cars that don’t qualify can still take advantage of some great offers in dealers.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £15,255Avg. savings £1,912 off RRP*Used from £7,299
MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £27,005Avg. savings £10,201 off RRP*Used from £10,490
Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £19,690Avg. savings £5,321 off RRP*Used from £10,849
Audi A3

Audi A3

RRP £26,295Avg. savings £3,081 off RRP*Used from £11,700
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2026, 2027 and beyond
Best new cars coming soon - header image

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2026, 2027 and beyond

Here are the most important new cars from Audi, BMW, Dacia, Ferrari, Ford, Skoda and more that you need to know about
Best cars & vans
2 Jan 2026
Alpine might have finally delivered a premium French car that Brits will take seriously
Alpine A390 flag

Alpine might have finally delivered a premium French car that Brits will take seriously

Steve Walker thinks sports car brand Alpine could well solve the long-standing French premium car problem…  but by the back door
Opinion
1 Jan 2026
Tesla-style door handles banned in China over safety fears
New Tesla Model Y Standard - side action

Tesla-style door handles banned in China over safety fears

The Chinese government has stepped in amid concerns that retractable or flush-fitting handles are causing fatalities in crashes
News
2 Jan 2026