March 2026 1st COE Bidding Results: Post-CNY Rebound or Short-Term Adjustment?

Marketing SGCD
4 hours ago
3 min read

The latest Certificate of Entitlement (COE) results are out following the close of the Chinese New Year period. After several rounds of softening prices in February, March 2026’s first bidding exercise shows signs of movement again.

Is this a rebound? Or simply market stabilisation after festive slowdowns? Let’s break down the numbers and what they mean for buyers and sellers.

COE Results Comparison

Category	February 2026 2nd Bidding	March 2026 1st Bidding	Difference
CAT A	$106,501	$108,220	⬆ +$1,719
CAT B	$105,001	$114,002	⬆ +$9,001
CAT C	$74,999	$76,000	⬆ +$1,001
CAT E	$112,890	$114,890	⬆ +$2,000

All categories have increased compared to the last bidding in February.

The most significant movement is in CAT B, which jumped by $9,001. This suggests renewed demand for larger-capacity and luxury vehicles now that CNY activities have concluded.

What Is Driving the Increase?

Following Chinese New Year, it is common to see:

Dealers clearing festive backlog orders
Buyers who delayed decisions during CNY returning to the market
Stronger showroom traffic
Pent-up demand for family and premium cars

The sharp rebound in CAT B indicates that higher-end vehicle demand remains resilient despite recent price corrections.

Should You Buy or Sell Now?

For Sellers

With all categories moving upward again, this could be a strategic window to sell:

CAT B owners especially may benefit from stronger demand.
Rising COE generally supports higher used car valuations.
If you purchased your car during a lower COE period, your equity position may be stronger now.

If you are considering upgrading, this may be the right time to unlock value before the next bidding potentially pushes prices even higher.

For Buyers

If you are planning to buy:

CAT B’s sharp increase suggests momentum is building again. Waiting could mean paying more in the next round.
CAT A and CAT E increases are moderate, suggesting some stability remains for now.

For buyers targeting premium or larger vehicles, securing your car earlier may help manage further price escalation risks.

What to Expect in the Next Bidding?

Based on the last two results:

February saw broad-based softening.
March 1st bidding shows a rebound across all categories.

If demand continues post-CNY and supply remains tight, prices may continue edging upward, particularly in CAT B and CAT E.

However, if this spike is driven mainly by pent-up festive demand, we could see prices stabilise in the next exercise.

Market sentiment over the next two weeks will be critical.

Tips to Stay Updated and Predict COE Trends

Track consecutive bidding patterns – Two to three consecutive increases usually indicate momentum.
Monitor showroom activity – Higher dealer promotions often signal confidence in demand.
Watch CAT B & CAT E closely – These categories tend to reflect overall market confidence.
Get regular car valuations – Even if you are not selling immediately, knowing your car’s value helps you time the market better.

March 2026’s first bidding suggests the market may be regaining strength after the CNY lull. With CAT B seeing the strongest rebound, confidence in the premium segment appears intact.

For sellers, this could be a favourable window before further upward movement. For buyers, acting earlier may reduce exposure to continued increases.

As always, timing and strategy matter more than reacting emotionally to a single result. Stay informed, monitor trends, and plan your next move wisely. Check your car's value for FREE now!