19 July 2026 · CarsMultiverse Research Team
Singapore’s Certificate of Entitlement for smaller cars (Category A) hit a record S$129,000 in the bidding round that closed on 8 July 2026 – meaning the right to register a compact car now costs more than twice the car itself.
What does it mean for buyers?
Adding the COE to Singapore’s Additional Registration Fee, excise and GST, the total cost of putting a €30,000 (pre-tax) petrol compact on the road reaches about €134,900 in taxes and mandatory certificates – 4.5× the car’s own price, by far the highest figure in our 36-country car-tax ranking. Second-placed Denmark adds “only” 132% of the car’s price.
Why are COE prices so high?
Singapore caps its vehicle population: every new car needs a COE from a fixed quota, auctioned twice monthly, valid 10 years. Strong demand and a tight quota cycle have pushed Cat A from around S$100,000 in early 2025 to the current record. The premium applies on top of the world’s steepest registration fees.
Is there any relief for electric cars?
Only partial: EVs get an ARF rebate (capped) but still need the same COE – an EV buyer faces roughly €126,600 in mandatory costs for a compact model. Singapore remains the world’s most expensive place to buy any new car, electric or not.
Sources: LTA/OneMotoring COE bidding results (8 July 2026); CarsMultiverse Car Tax by Country dataset (July 2026).
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