How Much Car Can I Afford?
In Singapore the downpayment usually decides your budget, not the monthly instalment. Enter both to see which one limits you.
Enter your cash and monthly budget to see the price ceiling.
Uses MAS motor vehicle loan limits. The default rate is only an example — lenders quote their own flat rates, and may lend less than the cap based on your income and existing debts (Total Debt Servicing Ratio). Running costs such as insurance, road tax, petrol and parking come on top. For information only; not financial advice.
For context: the COE alone
In the Oct 2026 Ex 1 bidding, a Cat A COE cost $130,001 and Cat B $130,100. The price you finance includes the COE, so it is the largest single part of most budgets.
The two limits on your car budget
1. Your cash. MAS caps car loans at 70% of the price for cars with an OMV of $20,000 or less, and 60% above that. So with $30,000 in cash, the most you can pay is $100,000 for a lower-OMV car ($30,000 is the 30% downpayment) or $75,000 for a higher-OMV one.
2. Your monthly budget. The loan can last at most 7 years, and car loans charge flat-rate interest on the full amount for every year, so the instalment sets a second ceiling.
Your real budget is the lower of the two. Most buyers find the cash limit bites first, which is why high COE prices are felt mainly as a bigger downpayment. More on the rules in Car Loan Rules in Singapore.
Don’t forget running costs
The instalment isn’t the whole monthly cost. Estimate the rest with the road tax calculator, check parking rates, and see the true cost of car ownership. Comparing specific cars? Use the depreciation calculator.
Track COE Prices & Your Car
Our free app shows live COE prices, your car’s estimated paper value, and reminders for COE expiry, road tax and insurance. On iPhone & Android.
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