During 2024, a growing number of Brits decided to scrap their old and more polluting vehicles (Image: Getty)
A growing number of Brits are as large cities introduce that make owning older vehicles more expensive.
According to a new study by , demand for increased by 13% throughout 2024, with residents of popular cities seeing rates nearly double.
Matt Clamp, Customer Service Manager from Scrap Car Comparison, noted that stricter measures imposed on older and more polluting vehicles has been a major factor in the increase.
He explained: “There has clearly been an increase in demand for scrap quotes across the country over the past year, as people are seeing the , and (low emission zone) and CAZ (clean air zone) restrictions in some areas, such as Sheffield, are adding to these figures further.
“Where a driver has a non-compliant vehicle, these costs can quickly stack up, meaning that their vehicle becomes too expensive to run.”
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The company noted that low emission zones (LEZs) have made older cars less desirable (Image: Getty)
Whilst there is no maximum age limit for cars to be legally driven on the UK roads, petrol models made before 2004 and diesels that predate 2015 are being hit by higher running costs due to the emission zones enforced in various cities.
Currently, the largest and most expensive zone is the London ULEZ, which spans the whole region and charges motorists £12.50 per day to enter.
As a result, motorists looking for a model that is both cheap to buy and run are choosing petrol cars made after 2005, with older vehicles being of little interest and value.
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The high cost of repairs has also seen many cars face the crusher over the past 12 months (Image: Getty)
Matt also highlighted that the cost of repairing vehicles is also on the rise, with fewer drivers looking to take a chance on an older car that is more prone to breakdowns.
He added: “The cost of repairing vehicles is also more expensive than ever, so for those with older vehicles, it can become stressful and no longer financially viable to keep their vehicles on the road.”
Studies conducted throughout 2024 found that the average repair bill for a car in the UK exceeded £500 for the first time, with drivers inclined to save money in the long run by investing in a more modern vehicle.
Top 10 regions where car scrapping increased from 2022 to 2024:
- Sheffield – 44 percent
- Sunderland – 37 percent
- Burton-On-Trent – 37 percent
- Loughborough – 36 percent
- Aberdeen – 35 percent
- Blackburn – 32 percent
- Huddersfield – 32 percent
- Warrington – 31 percent
- Blackpool – 31 percent
- Leicester – 30 percent