250,000 scrapped cars lost to the aftermarket

SMMT figures released today show the possible effect to come of scrappage on the aftermarket, as the number of cars scrapped through the scheme broke the 250,000 mark.

Figures just released from the SMMT showed that:

• New car registrations through scrappage totalled 251,629 between May and November 2009
• Scrappage accounted for 21.6% of all new car registrations in November
• The average CO2 emissions of a car bought through this scheme was 133g, which the SMMT claims is 27% below ‘a scrapped car’s emissions’ (although they didn’t say this was the average figure for all scrapped car emissions)

These are cars which effectively have been taken away from the independent aftermarket as potential business.

SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt commented: “Scrappage continues to have a positive impact on vehicle registrations, contributing to the 57.6% increase in November’s registrations.

“It has helped to generate consumer confidence and SMMT urges government to sustain the recovery and support the long-term future of the motor industry.”

What the long-term effect of scrappage will be on the aftermarket remains unclear at this time.

In a recent CAT poll on this website, 46% of aftermarket employees were against the scheme, thinking it would damage business long-term.

There is some good news, however, and that is that more than 250,000 cars will need their first MOT in May of 2012!