Make it illegal for Historic Vehicles to be processed through scrappage schemes.

Make it illegal for manufacturers to process vehicles which have Historic Vehicle on their V5 documents though any scrappage scheme. A simple way to avoid losing rare road heritage is to make all vehicles with Historic Vehicle on their V5 document, legally exempt from scrappage.

A decision taken by Ford UK to scrap a rare Standard 10 was recently highlighted and reversed. The mint condition classic had been sent for scrap by Ford after it was traded in for a Transit. There are many other examples of historic vehicles being sent for a similar fate. They should have legal protection.

Many vehicle manufacturers have run private scrappage schemes, enabling owners of older vehicles to get a discount on the purchase of a new cleaner vehicle – these schemes are entirely voluntary and it is up to car owners to determine whether they wish to hand a particular vehicle in to be scrapped. We have encouraged and continue to encourage manufacturers to come forward with further manufacturer led scrappage schemes as a way to help some owners of older vehicles to purchase a cleaner vehicle.

These schemes are independent of the Government and it is for the manufacturers to choose how to dispose of the older vehicles. While we have been clear that we want to see these older vehicles scrapped to improve air quality, where a manufacturer receives a vehicle with historic value they are able to choose to preserve it.

The Government has committed to helping local authorities support individuals and businesses affected by local air quality plans, and has invested £220 million Clean Air Fund.

Department for Transport