January 2026 COE Results (1st & 2nd Bidding): New Year Movements and What It Means Before CNY

Marketing SGCD
3 days ago
3 min read

The first two Certificate of Entitlement (COE) bidding exercises of January 2026 have set the tone for the new year, arriving at a critical period as buyers and sellers prepare for Chinese New Year (CNY). With festive demand traditionally picking up, many are closely watching whether COE prices will rise further or stabilise in the coming weeks.

In this article, we compare January 2026 1st and 2nd bidding results, reflect on the December 2025 trend, and share practical insights on whether it is a better time to buy, sell, or upgrade a car.

Latest COE Results: January 2026 1st vs 2nd Bidding

COE Category	Jan 2026 – 1st Bidding	Jan 2026 – 2nd Bidding	Movement
CAT A	$102,009	$109,501	▲ +$7,492
CAT B	$119,100	$121,634	▲ +$2,534
CAT C	$75,503	$75,202	▼ -$301
CAT E	$122,000	$120,891	▼ -$1,109

How Does This Compare With December 2025?

Looking back at December 2025, COE prices were already showing mixed signals:

CAT A trended downward from November into December before rebounding in January.
CAT B and CAT E remained relatively firm, supported by upgrade demand.
CAT C stayed stable with minimal volatility.

The January 2nd bidding rebound, especially for CAT A and CAT B, suggests that new-year demand has returned, likely driven by:

Buyers re-entering the market after year-end pauses
CNY-driven urgency to secure cars early
Dealers rebuilding inventory

Is It a Good Time to Sell Your Car?

Sellers: This Remains a Strong Window

Despite some softening in earlier months, COE prices for CAT B and CAT E remain elevated, and January’s rebound confirms continued demand.

This means:

Higher resale and trade-in values, especially for CAT B & E vehicles
Strong dealer competition as buyers rush to secure cars before CNY
Better leverage for owners of cars registered in recent years

If you are considering selling, waiting too long may expose you to post-CNY cooling, which historically happens once festive demand passes.

Is It a Good Time to Buy or Upgrade?

Buyers & Upgraders: Act Strategically Before CNY

With Chinese New Year approaching, many families prefer to upgrade before the festive season. Based on current trends:

Best Categories to Upgrade Now:

CAT A:Still relatively lower compared to late-2025 highs. Suitable for first-time buyers or those upgrading from older smaller cars.
CAT B & CAT E:While prices are higher, trade-in values are also strong, making it ideal for existing car owners upgrading to:
- Larger family cars
- Premium models
- SUVs or MPVs for CNY travel

The key strategy is sell high, then upgrade, rather than entering the market as a fresh buyer without a trade-in.

What to Expect in the Next COE Bidding?

As we move closer to CNY:

Short-term upward pressure may continue, especially for CAT B & E
Prices could stabilise or soften post-CNY as demand normalises
COE volatility is likely to remain high during the festive period

Those waiting for a major drop may need to exercise patience, while those upgrading should focus on timing their sale correctly.

Tips to Stay Updated and Predict COE Trends

Track at least the last 2–3 bidding exercises, not just one result
Watch CAT B & E closely — they often lead market direction
Monitor festive and seasonal demand (CNY, year-end, school holidays)
Get a professional car valuation regularly to know your real selling power
Plan upgrades early — last-minute CNY decisions often cost more

The January 2026 COE results reflect a market that is re-energising at the start of the new year, with festive demand already influencing prices. While some categories show mild corrections, overall conditions still favour sellers and upgraders, especially ahead of CNY.

If you are planning to: