Cat A vs Cat B COE: What's the Difference and Which Applies to Your Car?
Two of the five COE categories cover ordinary passenger cars: Category A and Category B. The one your car falls into can mean a difference of tens of thousands of dollars. Here’s how the split works.
The Official Dividing Line
A car is Category B if it exceeds either of these limits — otherwise it’s Category A:
| Criterion | Category A | Category B |
|---|---|---|
| Engine capacity | Up to 1,600cc | Above 1,600cc |
| Engine power | Up to 130bhp (97kW) | Above 130bhp (97kW) |
The power limit matters because it pulls many electric and turbocharged cars into Cat B even when their “engine size” seems small. An EV with a modest battery but strong output can still exceed the 130bhp threshold and land in Category B.
Why Is Cat B More Expensive?
Cat B typically commands a higher COE than Cat A because it covers larger and more powerful cars bought by buyers who are generally less price-sensitive, and because the Cat B quota is usually smaller. You can compare the two side by side on their history pages:
- Category A price history — small cars
- Category B price history — large/powerful cars
The gap between them widens and narrows over time. Reviewing the latest results and the year-by-year summaries shows how the spread has behaved historically.
What About Cat E?
Category E is the Open category. It can be used to register any vehicle type, including a Cat A or Cat B car. Because it’s flexible, Cat E often tracks close to — and sometimes above — Cat B. Some buyers monitor Cat E as an alternative when Cat B is tight.
How to Check Your Car’s Category
- Look at the engine capacity on the vehicle’s specifications (cc).
- Check the maximum power output in kW or bhp — this is the criterion many people forget.
- Remember it’s “either/or”: exceeding the power limit or the capacity limit puts the car in Cat B.
If you’re on the borderline (around 1,600cc and ~130bhp), a slightly different variant of the same model can change the category — and the COE you’ll pay.
Choosing With the Data in Front of You
If you’re flexible on the exact car, comparing categories can reveal real savings. The free COE Price Tracker app overlays category trends, shows live prices, and lets you set price alerts for the category you’re targeting.
This article is for general information only and is not financial advice. For the official classification rules, refer to the LTA.
Related reading: What Is COE in Singapore? · How to Bid for COE · How to Save Money on COE
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