Nearly 4,000 old cars were traded in under the 2009 scrappage scheme – but pictures have emerged showing that thousands of classics are still waiting to face the crusher.
The revelation has caused outrage amongst classic car enthusiasts, who are petitioning to the Government to let them save the rusting relics – some of which are increasingly rare and desirable.
Jake Dormer, the classic car fan who set up the petition, said: “Many of the vehicles bought under the scrappage scheme are still sat on unused airfields abandoned. In this state they are of no use to anyone. I propose that the cars are auctioned off to the public, or at least used for parts.”
The £300m scheme gave people £2,000 towards a new car if they traded in their old ‘banger’ – as long as it was more than 10 years old and they’d owned it for more than 12 months.
The rules stated that all cars part-exchanged through the scheme, which was introduced under a Labour government, had to be scrapped – but people are now calling for that to be overturned by today’s Conservative government.
The pictures, taken at Thurleigh Airfield in Bedfordshire, show rows of classic Minis, a desirable Peugeot 205 GTi and a rare Toyota Sera.
Dormer points out that the current low price of scrap metal makes it ‘pointless’ wasting iconic classic cars.
He added: “Many of these cars are a huge part of British motoring history. Cars such as Minis, Triumphs, Rovers and Jaguars amongst many others are iconic cars and shouldn’t be scrapped for a pittance. I believe if we acquire enough support we may be able to make a difference.”