COE Certificates Down Again: What It Means for Car Buyers
Heads up, car hunters! The Singapore Land Transport Authority just announced that the quota of Certificates of Entitlement (COE) for the May‑July 2021 period is going down across every car category. Yep—that’s the second straight quarter where the total supply has taken a hit.
Why the Drop Matters
Think of the COE like a coveted licence to own a car in Singapore; fewer licences per month means higher prices, tougher competition, and a longer time‑to‑buy. Whether you’re targeting a compact Cat A, a sporty Cat B, or a humble Cat E, the math is clear: fewer COEs = stiffer bidding wars.
Quarter‑over‑Quarter Numbers (in a nutshell)
- Cat A (≤ 1,600 cc <= 130 bhp): from 1,766 to 1,657 per month — about a 6% dip.
- Cat B (> 1,600 cc or > 130 bhp): from 1,883 down to 1,618 — roughly a 14% cut.
- Cat E (any non‑motorbike vehicle): from 592 to 517 — an 11% shrink.
- Cat C (commercial vehicles): down from 511 to 314 — a huge 39% drop.
- Motorcycles: surprisingly up from 1,083 to 1,228.
Here’s the % change if you’re a maths nerd:
Cat A: –6.2%
Cat B: –14.1%
Cat C: –38.6%
Cat E: –12.7%
What the Numbers Tell Us
The biggest hit is in the commercial vehicle sector (Cat C), where the supply slumps by more than a third. That means 2/3 of the existing COEs are returning, slashing the available supply and driving up the bidding price.
In contrast, the motorcycle sector is swelling a bit—over 140 more COEs than the previous quarter. More bikes can mean cheaper rides or a better chance to snag a licence without a war of bids.
Looking Ahead
Keep an eye on the next announcement, because the August‑October 2021 quota is slated to drop in July. Whether you’re a family sedan buyer, a business fleet manager, or a motorbike enthusiast, the coming months will see these numbers shift the market’s balance.
Bottom line: fewer COEs = higher stakes, so patience and timing have never been more crucial. Good luck, and may your bid win be kinder than a competing bidder’s!
