Perk scrappings

I would be grateful for your advice. I have an 11 year old Lexus 3.0i Sport in good condition with a recent MOT to get rid of and am thinking of scrappage and buying in its place a small run-around, reliable fun car that won't mind short rural journeys. I live in Shropshire so I'm prepared to travel to find a good scrappage deal. You have given me good advice in the past and I welcome your help.

Asked on 11 July 2009 by

Answered by Honest John
First, price your 11 year old. (Glass's prices a 1998S Lexus GS300 at £3,260 as a private sale and £1,735 disposal.) If it's a wreck, then okay, scrappage. But if you can get £1,000 - £3,000 for it on the market then you will lose out going for scrappage. The government only gives £1,000 (which it immediately gets back in VAT on the new car). The other £1,000 comes from the manufacturer. But would anyway in a negotiated deal. So say you sold your Lexus for £2,500, you would then already be £1,500 ahead before you started negotiating for the new car. Have a look at the news item about this that I put up on www.honestjohn.co.uk this afternoon, with four useful links.
Dear Honest John,

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