Cash for Clunkers List of Eligible Cars

U.S. and Foreign Cars That Qualify for the $3,500 - $4,500 Credit

Jul 30, 2009

See the list of American and foreign cars eligible for the up to $4,500 credit under the "Cash for Clunkers" program related to the trade-in of older vehicles.

For a limited time beginning July 1, 2009, certain car owners are eligible to receive an instant rebate of up to $4,500 for the purchase or lease of a new car under the highly publicized Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) (also affectionately coined as the “Cash for Clunkers” program).

Cars and Vehicles Eligible for the up to $4,500 Instant Rebate

Although the effective start date of this program was July 1, 2009, the official list of qualifying trade-in vehicles was released weeks after its debut. In general, the list is composed of cars and other vehicles that have been manufactured less than 25 years ago and that have a fuel economy of 18 miles per gallon or less. However, having a vehicle on this list is not enough to qualify for the credit as there are other criteria that have to be met as well which can be found on the government-sponsored website, www.CARS.gov.

$3,500 - $4,500 – Cash for Clunkers Vehicle Rebate Amount

There is an abundance of confusion about who is eligible for the $3,500 instant rebate versus the $4,500 instant rebate. In the most basic scenario, a $3,500 instant rebate is available for a new car if it is more fuel efficient than the owner’s old car by at least four (4) miles per gallon. Similarly, a $4,500 instant rebate is available if the new car is more fuel efficient than the owner’s old car by at least ten (10) miles per gallon. Note that the mile per gallon improvement between the old and new vehicle criteria varies for certain types of cars and trucks. It is also important to note that no vouchers are needed and there are no requirements to sign up or otherwise enroll in this program. For more information on how this program works, please see the link at the bottom for the article titled "Instant Cash Rebate for Trading in Old Cars".

Cash to Clunker Program Rebate End Date - Timeline

The “Cash for Clunkers” program is slated to run between July 1, 2009 and November 1, 2009 or until the allocated funds have been exhausted. The total amount allocated to this program is $1 billon dollars and that amount is currently being depleted by the many consumers taking advantage of the program. Visit the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) homepage for daily updates on the funds remaining to support this program.

Cash Rebate for Foreign Cars

There has been some confusion on whether or not this U.S. program extends the rebate opportunity to the trade-in or purchase of cars made by foreign manufacturers or vehicles otherwise produced overseas. To set the record straight, the up to $4,500 rebate is available for both American and foreign cars and vehicles so as long as the other program criteria are met.

The information contained within this article is for general guidance only. As such, it should not be used as a substitute for consulting with "Cash for Clunkers" participating dealers.

The copyright of the article Cash for Clunkers List of Eligible Cars in American Affairs is owned by Lauren Massie. Permission to republish Cash for Clunkers List of Eligible Cars in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.