The government’s scrappage scheme has drawn in more than 35,000 new car orders since it was announced in the 2009 Budget.

One in every five new cars sold since the scheme was introduced were bought by someone who had scrapped a car.

On average, 3,181 cars per day are bought using the initiative.

The scheme offers buyers £2,000 towards the cost in exchange for scrapping a vehicle over ten years old.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown welcomed three new car buyers that had benefited from the scheme at Downing Street this morning.

He said: “This scheme not only helps hard-pressed consumers, it also helps protect British jobs by stimulating demand for new cars.”

Could you scrap your car for £2,000? Find out on Auto Trader’s scrappage site

Phillip Harrison was one of the first drivers to scrap his old car for a £2,000 bonus.

“Originally I was going to trade the old car in to a dealership, but it’s only worth £200. When I heard about the scrappage scheme, we thought that would be a better idea.”

The scheme is intended to provide immediate support on a short-term basis to boost the car industry and its supply chain in the wake of falling sales.

Its aim is to remove older vehicles from the road and encourage consumers to invest in new, safer, and more environmentally friendly models.

Despite this, two Nissan GT-R supercars were purchased using the scheme, within five hours of the initiative starting.

The £2,000 offer is a combination of a £1,000 government grant and a £1,000 manufacturer discount.

The scheme began on May 18, 2009 and will run until March 31, 2010 or until the £300 million government funding has been used.

If the rate of 3,000 sales per day continues, funding for the scheme could dry up by the end of August.

However, not everyone supports the scheme. Linda on the Auto Trader Blog said: “People who drive cars over ten years old usually do it because they can’t afford a new car.

“This scheme is just a spin to make the government look good, an empty promise as usual.”

Are you scrapping your motor for a new one? Have your say on the Auto Trader Blog