The government-funded scrappage scheme has resulted in fewer used car sales in 2009, it has been reported.

Research from Experian Automotive, which provides data to organisations within the motor industry, shows that used car sales were at their lowest level since 2000.

Annual sales fell by 5.7 per cent to 6,798,864, which was a similar level to that experienced a decade ago.

The scrappage scheme and the recession are to blame for the drop in sales, according to Experian Automotive’s managing director, Kirk Fletcher.

Buyers, who would normally have considered buying a used car, actually bought a new one through the scrappage initiative instead.

The scheme has also affected the number of used cars on the market, as cars are being scrapped rather than sold on as is the case with other part-exchanged vehicles.

Mr Fletcher also said people were holding onto cars for longer as, due to the recession, they cannot afford to buy new ones.

The successful scrappage scheme is coming to an end in the UK this month. It was implemented by the government after the Budget last year to provide a short-term boost to new car sales.

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