May 2026 COE Results 1st Bidding: The COE horse ran hot and high, with premiums for the car Categories and commercial-vehicle Category zooming to new heights

In the first COE bidding exercise of May 2026, Cat A closed at $124,790; Cat B closed at $126,236; Cat C closed at $87,479; Cat D closed at $9,452; while Cat E closed at $127,700.

Cat A (car up to 1600cc & 130bhp, and EV with up to 110kW) received 2,071 bids for 1,301 COEs and its premium climbed by $1,780. Category A COE closed at $124,790.

Cat B (car above 1600cc or 130bhp, and EV with more than 110kW) received 1,332 bids for 883 COEs and its premium climbed by $5,235. Category B COE closed at $126,236.

Cat C (goods vehicle and bus) received 511 bids for 293 COEs and its premium increased by $3,978. Category C COE closed at $87,479.

Cat D (motorcycle) received 649 bids for 529 COEs and its premium increased by $162. Category D COE closed at $9,452.

Lastly, Cat E (all vehicles except motorcycle) received 479 bids for 254 COEs and climbed by $2,698. Category E COE closed at $127,700.

With “super roadshow” The Car Expo coming up on the weekend of May 9-10, COE premiums are expected to remain high.

Raymond Ng, managing director of Eurokars EV for IM Motors and MG, predicted: “High chance, as proven historically that COE will go up after every Expo.”

Lee Hoe Lone, managing director of Premium Automobiles for Zeekr, Xpeng, DEEPAL and AVATR, had the same prediction - “Likely going up (because) Expo coming.”

Ng Choon Wee, commercial director of Komoco Motors for Hyundai, added: “Dealers tried to secure their orders today, as everyone expects COE to be higher in the next round with The Car Expo happening this weekend.”

Vincent Ng, automotive consultant to Vincar for GAC, Aion and Hyptec, also mentioned the event when he said “Cat A and B look like uptrend for next two bids.” 

Ron Lim, Nissan sales & marketing head of Tan Chong Motor, considered the “Expo factor” in another way - “Seems like it (higher COE premiums), given the huge backlog still and market is not short of buyers. That’s even after many buyers actually held back due to Expo.”

Corinne Chua, managing director of Volvo Car Singapore, told Motorist: “There’s definitely still strong demand in the market, especially from those whose car is close to 10 years old.”

Adelene Tan, newly-appointed managing director of Vantage Automotive for BYD, shared her opinion which included an opportune sales pitch: “Cat B has quite a few launches, including our Seal 6 DM-i which will be launched tomorrow (May 7). We can expect the COE will go higher, so the best time to buy BYD is during The Car Expo.”

A director of two Leng Kee dealerships put his own spin on the current COE situation - “Don’t say sure go up, wait nobody go Expo!”

Here is a summary of the first COE bidding exercise for May 2026: