BARGAIN-HUNTING motorists are rushing to get the last of the cash earmarked by the Government in the new cars for old incentive.
And car firms are advising customers to waste little time getting to showrooms before the money runs out.
'Now is the time to take advantage of Westminster handing out money to the taxpayer before it is returned to the public purse,' said Mazda UK sales and marketing director Mark Cameron.
More than 7,600 motorists bought a new Mazda last year under the scrappage scheme and the Japanese brand won over 450 sales in the first two weeks of December alone as customers used the scheme to contribute to discounts of up to £6,000.
'With the scheme due to run out in the next few weeks, this really is the time to act before the money is returned to the treasury.
'Mazda has wholeheartedly embraced the srappage scheme since April and currently supplements the Government's £1,000 with between £1,000 on Mazda2 and £5,000 on Mazda RX-8 which means even more added value for owners changing their 'old' model for a new Mazda,' he said.
Announced in April, the showroom incentive offers a £1,000 Government subsidy when an owner scraps a vehicle over 10 years old in exchange for a new vehicle and manufacturers can match the figure to give a minimum discount of £2,000.
'Car firms have the discretion to offer higher discounts and we have used that discretion to offer up to £5,000 against scrapped cars when purchasing a new Mazda,' said Mr Cameron.