VOLKSWAGEN Fleet Services has extended its offer of short-term loan cars to bridge delivery delays for new models.

The scheme is now available to fleets that have ordered Volkswagen diesel models and Passats, and offers temporary cars for as little as £10 a day. It allows customers to defleet cars that would otherwise incur excess age or mileage charges.

The 'bridge' cars available are Boras, Passats or Sharans. Both the Bora S TDI and the Passat S 1.8/1.9 TDI cost £300 per 28 days, while the 2.0-litre Sharan S costs £375.

The rates impose a limit of 2,000 miles per 28 days and an excess mileage charge of 45p per mile.

The cars are all subject to availability and offered to fleets of 25 and over. So far about 200 drivers have taken up the scheme. To qualify, drivers must have ordered a new Volkswagen Passat or diesel car and have a registered fleet operator number.

The Bridging Programme was introduced as a stopgap last November for drivers who had ordered a new Volkswagen Passat before it was launched in January. VW currently has delivery lead times approaching 12 weeks for some models.