Mitsubishi Motors in the UK has extended its scrappage scheme with the offer of discounts of up to £5,000 available from new cars bought within its dealer network.

The Japanese manufacturer has extended the scheme until March 27 for motorists wanting to trade in vehicles registered before January 2010.

Although it said in a statement that the initiative was aimed at customers wanting to purchase a “new, low-emission Mitsubishi”, the brand is offering its biggest discounts on the seven-seat Outlander diesel at a time when anti-diesel sentiment has hit the headlines due to concerns surrounding NOX emissions.

The diesel-powered SUV attracts a manufacturer discount of £5,000, compared to the £4,000 offered in conjunction with the purchase of a plug-in Outlander PHEV or £3,000 for the more compact ASX.

Customers keen to take advantage of the claimed CO2 emissions of 41g/km and 166mpg (official combined cycle) fuel economy of the PHEV, however, will benefit from the Government’s £2,500 plug-in car grant (PiCG), taking their total saving to £6,5001.

Mitsubishi added that, “for customers who wish to enjoy the benefits of a new, low-emission supermini”, meanwhile, the scheme offers a £2,000 scrappage allowance on the Mitsubishi Mirage.

With CO2 emissions from only 99g/km, the five-door hatchback combines efficiency with an extremely high standard specification.