ULEZ scrappage scheme 2024: What you need to know
If your car isn’t ULEZ-compliant you can get money to put towards one that is, thanks to the ULEZ scrappage scheme. Our guide has the details.
The Cazoo editorial team
To help those affected by the expansion of London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), the Mayor of London’s office introduced a scrappage scheme. This means that if your car isn’t ULEZ-compliant you could receive money to put towards one that is.
Here’s everything you need to know about the scrappage scheme, including who’s eligible, what it offers and how you can apply for it.
ULEZ scrappage scheme: What is it?
The ULEZ scrappage scheme provides financial help for those who need to buy a new car, motorcycle, van or minibus in order to comply with ULEZ emissions standards. By trading in a non-compliant vehicle to be taken off the road, you’ll get a government grant to put towards a new vehicle.
How does the ULEZ scrappage scheme work?
The mayor’s scheme is divided into two sub-schemes – one for cars and motorbikes and one for vans and minibuses. We’re focusing on the plan for cars and motorbikes in this article, which has eight types of payment options.
If you scrap a car, you can opt for a £2,000 grant towards a new vehicle, or £1,600 plus an adult-rate annual bus and tram pass in the form of an Oyster card, worth more than £2,500. Alternatively, you can go for a £1,200 grant and two adult bus and tram passes, worth more than £3,000.
If you scrap a motorbike, you can receive a £1,000 grant, or £600 with a bus and tram pass, or £200 and two bus and tram passes.
If you scrap a wheelchair-accessible vehicle – either a car or a van – you can get a £10,000 grant towards a new one.
Am I eligible for the ULEZ scrappage scheme?
You’re eligible for the ULEZ scrappage scheme if you have an eligible car and you live in one of the 32 London boroughs or in the City of London.
Originally the scheme was only open to Londoners on certain benefits, but that requirement was removed on 21 August 2023.
You’re eligible for the ULEZ scrappage scheme if you have an eligible car and you live in one of the 32 London boroughs or in the City of London.
Originally the scheme was only open to Londoners on certain benefits, but that requirement was removed on 21 August 2023.
When will the ULEZ scrappage scheme end?
As of May 2024, no end date for the ULEZ scrappage scheme has been set.
Is my car eligible for the ULEZ scrappage scheme?
Your car is eligible for the ULEZ scrappage scheme if it doesn’t meet the ULEZ exhaust emission standards. As a general rule, that means petrol cars sold new before 2005, and diesel cars sold new before 2015, although there are exceptions. You can find out whether your car is ULEZ compliant by using the checker tool on the Transport for London (TfL) website.
How to apply for the ULEZ scrappage scheme
To apply for the ULEZ scrappage scheme you’ll need evidence that you own the vehicle in question, including the V5C logbook and a valid insurance document. You can submit photos, scans or screenshots of the relevant information or documents.
If you’re applying for a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle, you’ll need extra information, including a photo of the rear of the car that shows the number plate, an image of the wheelchair-access conversion and an image of the wheelchair securing system, or images of the swivel seat (one facing forwards, one sideways) or images of the hoist system. If the vehicle is adapted to be driven by a disabled person, you’ll need shots of the driving area showing the accelerator ring attached to the steering wheel, and a wider shot showing context.
You’ll also need a London road user charging (RUC) account. Then head to the Transport for London website. The full instructions are listed there, but in summary, you’ll need to send evidence that you and your vehicle qualify for the scheme and then wait for approval.
How do I scrap my current car using the ULEZ scrappage scheme?
Once your application has been approved you’ll need to take your vehicle to an authorised treatment facility (ATF) within a month, where it’ll be scrapped and you’ll be issued with a certificate of destruction. You may also be eligible for a separate payment from the ATF to cover the car’s scrap value. This would be in addition to the grant from TfL.
Once you’ve sent scrappage evidence to TfL through your RUC account, they’ll send you a cheque for your grant.
How to donate your ULEZ scrappage car to Ukraine
In March 2024 the ULEZ scrappage scheme was updated so that, as well as the option of having your car scrapped, you can also choose to donate it to support humanitarian and medical needs in Ukraine. You still receive the same grant payment as you’d get if the car was scrapped.
The scheme is a collaboration between UK registered charity British-Ukrainian Aid (BUA) and TfL, with support from Embassy of Ukraine. It’s open to all London residents, small businesses and charities with eligible vehicles.
BUA says that it directly delivered more than 300 medical and evacuation vehicles to Ukraine in 2023.
Are there any other ULEZ scrappage schemes?
In addition to the main scheme run by the Mayor of London’s office, two London councils – Merton and Wandsworth – are running their own scrappage chemes alongside it.
For those eligible, this can provide an extra £1,000 towards a new ULEZ-compliant vehicle.
Do other cities offer a scrappage scheme?
As well as London’s scheme, a scrappage scheme is operating in Birmingham, where successful applicants can claim £2,000 in tram, train or bus travel credit from Swift (Transport for West Midlands), or £2,000 off a new car.
If you live in Scotland, you may be able to take advantage of a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) support fund. Administered by the Energy Saving Trust, the scheme offers households and smaller businesses a £2,000 grant to encourage the scrapping of non-LEZ-compliant vehicles, as well as a further £1,000 in mobility grants or credits towards public transport and bicycle purchase.
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