Final scrappage sales near 380,000

* 372,401 new cars through scrappage * Accounts for 18.7% of sales since its launch * Scrappage cars are greener, too...

Final scrappage sales near 380,000

Almost 380,000 new vehicles have been bought through the scrappage scheme, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has confirmed.

The total of 372,401 cars accounts for 18.7% of total new car sales since the scheme was launched in May last year.

Up to 400,000 scrappage orders were available. However, in March, as the scheme came to an end, it accounted for just 12.2% of all new car registrations a reduction of about 8% on the previous average monthly level.

Scrappage cars are greener
The average CO2 emissions for a car bought through scrappage is 132.9g/km, 27.1% below the average figure for a scrapped car and almost 10% less than the new car market average.

SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt said, ' The scheme has provided a hugely important stimulus to the market and leaves industry in far better health than we saw in pre-scrappage 2009.

'Consumers will also benefit from the improved fuel efficiency, the latest safety features and cleaner tailpipe emissions available from the new vehicles purchased through the scheme.'