Volkswagen announces scrappage scheme for old diesels

The Volkswagen Group says that it's launching its own scrappage scheme where owners of old diesel-engined cars will be able to get money towards a newer, more environmentally friendly model.

Owners of any diesel-engined vehicle registered before 2010 can receive up to £6,000 to put towards a new car fitted with a cleaner Euro 6-compliant engine. Diesel-engined vehicles that aren't part of the Volkswagen Group will also qualify for the deal.

Motors that conform to the EU's strict Euro 6 engine regulations produce less nitrogen oxide (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO2) and other harmful gases, says AutoExpress. These regulations can also mean "improved fuel economy".

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Buyers can put the money they receive for trading in their old vehicle towards a host of car brands within the Volkswagen Group, reports the BBC, including Audi, Seat and Skoda.

According to the broadcaster, the Japanese car giant Toyota also launched a scrappage scheme today. The deal offers buyers up to £4,000 off a new car when they trade in their old diesel vehicle.

Volkswagen and Toyota join a growing list of manufacturers offering scrappage schemes, which the Daily Telegraph says was sparked by the German carmaker admitting that 11m of its vehicles across the world had been fitted with devices to cheat emission tests two years ago.

The scandal, dubbed "Dieselgate", led the company to "recall cars in the UK fitted with defeat devices to make them comply with regulations", the newspaper says.

Volkswagen has since "fixed 775,000 of the 1.15m affected vehicles in Britain", the paper adds, although "difficulties" finding the remaining cars could mean that they won't all receive the necessary fix.

Volkswagen, Audi, Seat and Skoda's diesel scrappage schemes run until 31 December.