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COE Bidding Update – July 2025 1st Tender Sees All Categories Climb Again
COE premiums rose across all categories in the first bidding round of July 2025 - with Category A crossing the $100K mark, and Category B inching even closer to $120K. This marks the third consecutive increase since late May, further confirming that upward pressure is building.
In the previous COE update, we saw Category A hovering just under $100K at $98,124, and Category B climbing to $116,670. This round pushes both segments higher, with strong bidding activity across the board - even in motorcycles, which had dipped the round before.
Category A – Small Cars (≤1600cc & ≤97kW)
- Premium: $101,102
- Change: 🔺 +$2,978
- Quota: 1,253 COEs available | 1,918 bids received
Category A has officially breached the $100K mark, with premiums climbing nearly $3,000 this round. It’s the highest Cat A has hit since early 2024 - and it comes despite broader economic uncertainty.
The volume of bids - close to 2,000 - suggests strong replacement demand from private buyers, especially those with expiring COEs or entry-level continental models.
What’s worth noting is that July’s PQP remains lower at $99,643, giving those renewing a narrow window before the next upward revision.
Category B – Large Cars (>1600cc or >97kW)
- Premium: $119,600
- Change: 🔺 +$2,930
- Quota: 781 bids available | 1,199 received
Category B premiums rose by nearly $3,000 to hit $119,600, now just shy of the $120K threshold - a price level last seen during the peak volatility in early 2024.
Demand remains strong in this segment, with over 1,100 bids submitted - reflecting ongoing appetite for continental makes and higher-displacement vehicles, particularly from private buyers and parallel importers securing inventory ahead of Q3 launches.
Interestingly, the PQP for July in Cat B dropped slightly to $116,909, widening the gap between renewal and bidding - and creating a small window for cost-conscious owners to act.
Category C – Goods Vehicles & Buses
- Premium: $66,689
- Change: 🔺 +$1,689
- Quota: 291 bids available | 432 received
COE premiums for commercial vehicles climbed by $1,689, continuing an upward trend that began in late June.
With over 430 bids submitted for just 291 COEs, it’s likely that fleet renewals and last-mile logistics players are driving the pressure - especially ahead of Q3 delivery cycles.
At the same time, July’s PQP for Cat C sits at $64,427, which remains more than $2,000 below the current premium - making renewals the more practical option for eligible vehicle owners in this window.
Category D – Motorcycles
- Premium: $9,389
- Change: 🔺 +$789
- Quota: 533 bids available | 629 received
After a brief dip in the last round, motorcycle premiums are back on the rise - increasing by $789 to reach $9,389.
Demand remains consistently high, with 629 bids submitted against 533 available COEs. While fluctuations in this category are common, the increase suggests renewed interest among private riders and delivery fleets ahead of potential fuel price or licensing adjustments.
That said, July’s PQP remains lower at $9,036, offering a more affordable option for those looking to renew instead of re-bid.
Category E – Open Category
- Premium: $118,500
- Change: 🔺 +$1,611
- Quota: 212 bids available | 384 received
Open Category premiums rose by $1,611, landing at $118,500 - closely trailing Category B as expected.
With only 212 COEs available and 384 bids submitted, competition remains tight. The continued rise reflects strong usage of Open Cat COEs by dealers and luxury vehicle buyers seeking flexibility to register across categories, particularly with rising Cat B premiums.
While Open Cat does not have a directly published PQP, the ongoing demand pattern mirrors Cat B, and is expected to remain volatile into Q3.
July 2025 PQP
With this round still falling under the July PQP window, there are no changes to renewal rates from what we reported previously.
As covered in our last update, Category B and E continue to climb, but PQPs remain mostly flat - suggesting current spikes may not be sustained.
Commercial and motorcycle owners may still benefit from locking in lower renewal rates before August rates are announced.
COE Trends & What to Expect
This round marks the third consecutive increase across key categories - with Cat A breaching $100K and Cat B pushing the $120K ceiling. Despite broader economic caution, the bidding data suggests that replacement demand remains strong, especially from private car owners and dealers clearing backlog inventory.
The sharp increase in Category D (Motorcycles) also signals a possible rebound in smaller-vehicle demand, perhaps driven by ride-hailing and last-mile delivery growth, or simply riders anticipating another price climb.
That said, with PQP holding steady, this upward movement still feels more reactionary than structural. Unless quotas tighten significantly in August or Q3 sales surge, we may start seeing premiums level off, particularly if buyers begin pulling back from peak-price territory.
Premiums Are Rising. Your Costs Don’t Have To.
As COE premiums climb, the cost of getting it wrong rises too - whether it's skipping a service, ignoring warning signs, or delaying a renewal without checking your options.
We help drivers make the most of their COE - whether it's through a clean servicing record, a proper inspection, or repairing your car back to its original state.
Book your next servicing with BCC Automotive today.