According to the Driver and Vehicles Licensing Agency, less that half of cars scrapped in the UK in 2006 were issued with Certificates of Destruction (CoD). The certificates prove that the cars were recycled in a manner which protects the environment.

CoD’s are required to comply with ELV Regulations. In 2006 only 762,776 CoD’s were issued for scrap cars, while it is believed that up to two million cars are scrapped each year in the UK.

CoDs are issued by authorised vehicle recyclers of which there are around 1,400 in the UK. These recyclers operate treatment facilities where vehicles are scrapped in a manner that will not harm the environment. All hazardous oils, fluids and components are removed before the vehicle is shredded.

The figures were released following a European Parliament report which expressed concern that the number of certificates issued in the first nine months of the ELV Directive’s first target period were lower than expected.

The report mentions a loophole in DVLA regulations which allows the final owner of a vehicle to tick a box on their vehicle deregistration form to say they had scrapped their cars themselves, without requiring a certificate.

The DVLA is working with the Department of Trade and Industry to overcome the problem.

247spares has always made a point of only working with accredited suppliers who strictly adhere to DVLA regulations.

The latest Subaru Impreza, which will be launched at the New York motor show on Friday, will be available in the UK only as a five-door hatchback.

The Impreza has previously appeared in the UK as either a saloon or an estate, but is now following the European trend for more practical hatchbacks.

The new style Impreza has been developed around the product concept of refined designs for comfort and features rich interior design, roominess and space. While it offers increased sophistication and elegance, its fans may miss the distinctive styling of previous models.

From 2009, the Impreza car will feature the horizontally opposed 2.0-litre diesel engine which was demonstrated at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2007. Until then the range will continue with the same petrol engines as the current car.

The new model has a lower centre of gravity afforded by a flat four engine mounted lower in the nose. Additional use of high tensile steel throughout makes the new body a stiffer overall structure than the previous model.

Subaru does not plan to make its new WRX model available in the UK.

Subaru revealed its R1e electric city car at the Geneva Motor show this month and the possibility of a UK launch is currently being evaluated.

If the project receives approval the R1e could find its way onto British roads within 12 months.

The Subaru R1e is an all-electric version of the Japanese market R1 “K-car”.

Subaru’s parent company, Fuji Heavy Industries, won Japan’s 2006 Commendation For Global Warming Prevention Activity award, for the production of the R1e, which was developed in conjunction with the Tokyo Electric Power Company.

The model has two doors, a 50-mile range when fully-charged and a top speed of 62mph. A high-speed charger is included, which charges the on-board lithium-ion battery to 80% capacity in just 15 minutes. The life of the batteries is estimated at over 10 years, or 124,000 miles.

As the car emits zero emissions it would be exempt from city congestion charges, making it ideal for use in urban areas.

The R1e will be built in Japan in right-hand-drive form only, increasing the likelihood of a UK release.