If you are thinking about buying a car in Singapore, the August 2025 COE bidding results are the latest signpost for where premiums are heading. The second round of bidding pushed Category A to S$104,524 and Category B to S$124,400, continuing the elevated trend of recent quarters.

4 related posts

Cat A (2nd Aug 2025): S$104,524 ·
Cat B (2nd Aug 2025): S$124,400 ·
Cat C (2nd Aug 2025): S$72,190 ·
Cat D (2nd Aug 2025): S$4,038 ·
Total quota Aug–Oct 2025: 18,701

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Whether COE prices will drop in 2026
  • Exact impact of upcoming quota increase on premiums
3Timeline signal
  • Next bidding: 1–3 Sep 2025, results 3 Sep 4pm
  • Second Sep bidding: 15–17 Sep, results 17 Sep
4What’s next
  • Quota increase of 2.6% for Aug–Oct 2025
  • Longer gap between Sep and Oct 2025 biddings

Five categories, one clear pattern: the second round of August 2025 bidding pushed premiums higher across the board, with the biggest jumps in the commercial vehicle and open categories.

Category 1st Aug 2025 2nd Aug 2025 Change
Cat A (Cars ≤1,600cc & 130 bhp) S$102,009 S$104,524 +S$2,515
Cat B (Cars >1,600cc or >130 bhp) S$123,498 S$124,400 +S$902
Cat C (Goods vehicles & buses) S$70,001 S$72,190 +S$2,189
Cat D (Motorcycles) S$9,189 S$4,038 -S$5,151
Cat E (Open category) S$122,334 S$125,001 +S$2,667

The implication: Cat D dropped sharply, while every other category rose, indicating sustained demand for passenger and commercial vehicles despite the high price environment.

What are the latest COE prices in Singapore?

August 2025 2nd bidding results by category

  • Category A: S$104,524 (Motorist Singapore)
  • Category B: S$124,400 (Motorist Singapore)
  • Category C: S$72,190 (Motorist Singapore)
  • Category D: S$4,038 (Motorist Singapore)
  • Category E: S$125,001 (Motorist Singapore)

August 2025 1st bidding results by category

  • Category A: S$102,009 (Motorist Singapore)
  • Category B: S$123,498 (Motorist Singapore)
  • Category C: S$70,001 (Motorist Singapore)
  • Category D: S$9,189 (Motorist Singapore)
  • Category E: S$122,334 (Motorist Singapore)

The pattern: the second round saw a broad increase, with Cat D the only exception, dropping by more than S$5,000. For buyers, that means the motorcycle COE got a lot cheaper, while car COEs stayed painfully high.

How are COE results calculated?

Reserve price and quota premium

Every COE bidding exercise starts with a reserve price set by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) — the floor below which no bids are accepted. The final quota premium is the lowest successful bid price, and all successful bidders pay that same price. This is known as a uniform-price auction. The system ensures that the market clears at the highest price that still fills the quota.

Open bidding system overview

Bidders place their bids during a three-day window, typically from Monday at 12pm to Wednesday at 12pm. The LTA then processes all bids, ranks them from highest to lowest, and determines the cut-off. The results are published on Wednesday at 4pm. (DBS (bidding calendar))

The upshot

Because the final price is set by the lowest successful bid, strategic bidding matters. Overbidding doesn’t help — you still pay the same as everyone else. Underbidding risks missing the cut.

Is COE bidding twice a month?

Standard COE bidding schedule in 2025

Yes — COE bidding exercises are held twice a month, typically on the first and third Mondays to Wednesdays. Results are announced on the Wednesday at 4pm. This schedule is set by the LTA and applies to all five categories. (LTA (newsroom))

Upcoming bidding dates

  • September 2025 1st: 1–3 Sep, results 3 Sep
  • September 2025 2nd: 15–17 Sep, results 17 Sep
  • October 2025 1st: 6–8 Oct, results 8 Oct

The trade-off: the twice-monthly frequency means buyers have more chances to bid, but the short window between rounds can create momentum — if prices rise in the first round, the second often follows.

What is the COE supply for August 2025?

Quota by category Aug–Oct 2025

  • Cat A: 1,268 per month
  • Cat B: 789 per month
  • Cat C: 292 per month
  • Cat D: 540 per month

The LTA set the total quota for the August 2025 to October 2025 period at 18,701 certificates, an increase of 469 from the previous quarter. (Land Transport Authority) CNA reported that this represents a 2.6% rise in supply. (CNA)

Impact of supply on prices

Despite the modest increase, premiums remained elevated. The Straits Times noted that the quota increase was relatively small, and demand continues to outstrip supply. (The Straits Times)

The implication: a 2.6% supply boost is not enough to cool a market where buyers are competing for limited certificates. Until the quota grows significantly, prices are likely to stay high.

How does COE bidding work?

Registration and deposit

To bid, you must register with the LTA and place a deposit. For Categories A, B, C, and E, the deposit is S$10,000 per bid. For Category D (motorcycles), it is S$2,000. The deposit is forfeited if you win the bid but do not use the COE within the validity period.

Live bidding during open period

During the three-day window, you can submit your bid online via the LTA’s OneMotoring portal. You can also revise your bid upward at any time before the window closes. The system shows the current quota premium (the provisional cut-off price) in real time, so you can adjust your strategy.

Result announcement

Bidding closes at 12pm on Wednesday. The LTA then processes the bids and publishes the final results at 4pm on the same day. Results are available on the LTA website and third-party aggregators like Motorist Singapore. (Motorist Singapore)

What to watch

The real-time provisional premium during the open window is a useful indicator, but it can change dramatically in the final hours as large bids come in. Don’t wait until the last minute.

Timeline: August 2025 COE bidding schedule

  • August 2025 1st bidding: 4–6 Aug, results 6 Aug (Cat A S$102,009)
  • August 2025 2nd bidding: 18–20 Aug, results 20 Aug (Cat A S$104,524)
  • September 2025 1st bidding: 1–3 Sep, results 3 Sep
  • September 2025 2nd bidding: 15–17 Sep, results 17 Sep
  • October 2025 1st bidding: 6–8 Oct, results 8 Oct

The catch: the LTA has scheduled a longer three-week gap between the second September exercise and the first October exercise, which could affect bidding dynamics. (LTA (newsroom))

Clarity: what’s confirmed and what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Cat A price S$104,524 for 2nd bidding August 2025 (Motorist Singapore)
  • Quota 18,701 for Aug–Oct 2025 period (LTA)
  • COE bidding held twice a month (DBS)
  • 1st Aug 2025 bidding results: Cat A S$102,009 (Motorist Singapore)

What’s unclear

  • Whether COE prices will drop in 2026
  • Exact impact of upcoming quota increase on premiums

“The COE quota for the August to October 2025 period is set at 18,701 certificates, an increase of 469 from the previous quarter.”

— Land Transport Authority (LTA newsroom)

“The overall COE supply for August to October 2025 rose by nearly 2.6% compared with the previous quarter.”

— CNA (CNA)

For Singapore car buyers, the choice is clear: either accept the elevated premiums and bid now, or wait for the uncertain 2026 quota increase. With the current supply barely rising, prices are unlikely to soften soon. The next round in September will tell whether the trend holds.

Additional sources

lta.gov.sg, sgcardeals.com, facebook.com, motorist.sg, straitstimes.com, toyota.com.sg, businesstimes.com.sg, lexus.com.sg

For a look at how premiums have moved since then, check the June 2026 COE results which show a welcome dip across most categories.

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Frequently asked questions

What time does LTA release COE bidding results?

Results are published at 4pm on the closing Wednesday of each bidding exercise. (DBS)

How can I check COE results live?

You can check results on the LTA OneMotoring portal or on third-party sites like Motorist Singapore. (Motorist Singapore)

What is the COE reserve price?

The reserve price is the minimum bid set by the LTA. If the number of bids at or above this price is less than the quota, the reserve price becomes the final premium. Otherwise, the lowest successful bid determines the price.

How many COE categories are there?

There are five categories: A (cars up to 1,600cc/130bhp), B (cars above), C (goods vehicles and buses), D (motorcycles), and E (open category).

Can I bid for COE as an individual?

Yes, individuals can bid directly through the LTA’s OneMotoring portal. You need a valid Singapore driving licence and a deposit.

What happens if my COE bid is unsuccessful?

Your deposit is refunded in full, and you can bid again in the next exercise. There is no penalty for unsuccessful bids.

When is the next COE bidding exercise after August 2025?

The next exercise is 1–3 September 2025, with results on 3 September at 4pm. (DBS)

Bottom line: The August 2025 COE results confirm that Singapore’s car buyers are facing a sustained high-premium environment, with the second round pushing most categories higher. For buyers who need a COE now, the data suggests bidding in the first round of September might offer a slightly lower chance of steep increases, but no one should expect a significant drop until the 2026 quota increase takes effect.

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