Merton mechanics and environmentalists are slamming the government’s Scrappage Scheme, set to run until February 2010.
By Sophie Herdman, Peter Harmer, Nick Grounds, Chris Ballinger and Becky Benhamou
Merton mechanics and environmentalists are slamming the government’s Scrappage Scheme, set to run until February 2010.
The scheme encourages motorists to get rid of their old, polluting cars by offering them £2000 towards a new vehicle if they scrap their old one.
Mechanics fear the scheme is taking business away during an already difficult time and if it continues could spell further problems for the industry.
Mike O’Connor, from Impact garage, said: “New cars don’t need an MOT over the first three years, so with all the new cars on the road, garages could suffer.
“We need to wait a bit longer until we notice a real effect of the scheme, as the market is still in a recession and we’re nowhere near recovery.”
Michael Harriatt, from Mayday Motors, says business is slow this year but is unsure whether it is a result of the scheme.
He said: “It’s definitely a possibility – the mechanical garages are really feeling the brunt of it and with more new cars on the road, fewer repairs will be needed.”
Environmental groups say the scheme is a good idea, but fundamentally flawed.
A Friends of the Earth spokesman said: “We do not support the scheme – we think it could have been a good idea because most of the environmental impact of cars is in their use, rather than their making.
“But because there are no environmental criteria, it means that people can simply trade their car for another gas guzzler.”
The scheme requires the car to be ten years old, insured and registered to the owner for 12 months when the order for the new vehicle is placed.
The restrictions on new cars are few, but they must be first registered in the UK on or after mid-May 2009 and have no previous owner.
The government’s scheme still has some support among Merton’s motoring showrooms.
Phil Collins, from Phoenix Wimbledon Vauxhall, said: “It has benefitted us a great deal, a big help to our industry and I assume the scrappers will have benefitted in turn.
“Especially with the older cars, drivers have realised they are quids-in.”
