The European Parliament is to vote on whether to force car manufacturers to recycle vehicles once they are too old to be used.

The vote in Brussels on Thursday will decide whether to make manufacturers or motorists foot the bill for recycling cars - a move which the European Union says is vital for preserving the environment.

But the proposal that manufacturers meet "all, or a significant part of" the cost has been condemned by manufacturers, which say it cost could put them out of business.

Pressure on

The new regulation will end months of debate over the European Union's End of Life Directive, which sets out standards for the disposal of old vehicles.

If this proposal goes ahead, owners would be able to return their cars for recycling free of charge when they reach the end of their serviceable life.

After January 2006, manufacturers would be responsible for all vehicles, regardless of when they were made.

But the pressure is on to switch the financial burden to the motorist, or split the cost equally between the owners and makers.

Shift to consumer

The UK Government is backing the proposal that the responsibility for recycling should rest with the manufacturer.

"MEPs have been hounded by representatives from manufacturers such as Volkswagen and Vauxhall in recent months," Labour Euro-MP and environment spokesman David Bowe said

"There is a real danger that industry pressure will shift the costs of recycling from manufacturers to consumers."