BMW has followed its pledge to incentivise its German customers out of older diesel cars with a £2,000 scrappage-style discount for UK motorists driving vehicles of Euro-4 emissions standard or older.

The offer is applicable to sales of all new BMW and MINI vehicles with emissions of 130g/km and below, including the BMW i3, i8, all BMW i Performance models and Mini Countryman PHEV and will run until December 31st.

The German premium brand had already announced a similar scheme in its native Germany as it joins with other German manufacturers to reduce NOx emissions levels.

Volkswagen has also begun a scrappage-style scheme in Germany and Auto Express reported that it too is expected to reach UK shores.

To qualify for BMW’s Lower Emissions Allowance a prospective customer will need to trade in a diesel-powered Euro-4 standard or older vehicle, of any brand.

More than 80% of BMW’s range currently records CO2 emissions of 130g/km (NEDC) or less while MINI has nearly 70% of vehicles in this lower emission category.

In the event that the chosen vehicle is a plug-in EV or PHEV motorists will benefit from both the BMW allowance and any other government or retailer incentives.

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Graeme Grieve, chief executive of BMW Group UK, said: “BMW offers the widest range of low emission vehicles of any manufacturer.

“We were the first premium marque to make a clear commitment to electric mobility and having a range of sustainable mobility options too.

“We know in the early phases that people still need some incentive to make the jump to fully electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles and that is why we are delighted to announce this new allowance.

“For those who the alternative drivetrains do not suit their lifestyle we still offer allowance qualifying Euro-6 compliant petrol and diesel engine cars that are cleaner than ever.”

Volkswagen this week announced a range of discounts for motorists currently driving diesel cars of Euro-4 emissions standard or older.

Discounts of up to €10,000 (£9,022) are being offered to German owners who want to scrap their old vehicles.

Auto Express reported that a similar scheme is expected to be available to UK customers shortly, potentially opening up sales opportunities for dealers within the Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda and Seat networks.