Premiums for most vehicle categories increase again in the month’s first bidding round, adding pressure on car buyers

The first Certificate of Entitlement (COE) bidding exercise for April 2025 has brought another round of increases across most vehicle categories, with only commercial vehicles experiencing a slight reprieve.

For Category A, which covers cars with internal combustion engines (ICEs) up to 1,600cc and 130 horsepower, or electric vehicles under 110kW, the premium rose by $3,222. Bidding closed at $97,724 – a notable increase from the previous $94,502.

Category B COEs – for more powerful vehicles exceeding 1,600cc or 130hp, as well as electric cars above 110kW – also edged upwards, ending at $117,899 after a $1,009 rise.

In contrast, premiums for Category C, which applies to goods vehicles and buses, fell by $1,307, settling at $68,782 – the only category to record a drop this round.

Motorcycles under Category D saw a moderate increase, with the premium moving up by $378 to close at $9,889.

Category E, often used for high-end cars as it’s open to all vehicle types (excluding motorcycles), remained almost unchanged, rising just $11 to reach $117,002.

Here is a snapshot of the latest bidding results:

Category Current COE Previous COE Change PQP (Apr)
A $97,724 $94,502 +$3,222 $92,064
B $117,899 $116,890 +$1,009 $114,787
C $68,782 $70,089 -$1,307 $66,359
D $9,889 $9,511 +$378 $8,753
E $117,002 $116,911 +$11 Not applicable
The Prevailing Quota Premium (PQP), which reflects the three-month average of COE prices, continues to track alongside the upward trend, impacting the renewal costs for existing vehicle owners.

As demand remains strong across multiple categories, especially in private vehicle ownership, COE premiums are expected to stay elevated in the coming months.