So, you’re getting your first car soon— so exciting! As with any big life decision, buying a car comes with a lot of things to prepare for. Feeling overwhelmed while researching or unsure of what to do next? Here’s a 6-step guide to help make your car buying experience as pain-free as possible.🙂
There’s always a first time for everything, and we’re here to hold your hand every step of the way. Let’s go!
- Step 1: Know what car you want to buy
- Step 2: Estimate your budget
- Step 3: Shop around for “the one”
- Step 4: Take a test drive
- Step 5: Apply for car financing
- Step 6: Seal the deal and paperworks
Step 1: Know what car you want to buy
The first thing you need to ask yourself is: “Why do I need this car in my life?”
Is it for your family’s convenience and safety so you won’t have to use public transport while there’s COVID-19? Do you want a head-turner ride when meeting clients or friends? Or are you going to use it mostly for long drives? By knowing your lifestyle needs, that’s when you can shortlist what important specifications and car model you should be looking for.
Tip: Take this fun quiz to know what kind of car fits your lifestyle.
Step 2: Estimate your budget
Now that we’re done with the fun part, it’s important to decide on a car that you can realistically afford. Last thing everyone wants, is to sink into debt for a vehicle that’s too expensive to pay for!😨
Before committing to a car loan, you should understand that the true cost of owning a car doesn’t end in paying for the vehicle only. There are also car-related expenses that you should factor in when computing a budget.
Want to compute this faster? Our budget calculator is here to help you.
In Singapore, here’s a list of these expenses so you can forecast their impact on your finances better:
- Certificate of Entitlement (if applicable)
- Yearly road tax
- Monthly ERP/Toll fee
- Yearly car insurance
- Yearly car maintenance
- Monthly gas expense
- Monthly parking expense
To compute how much is the car you can afford, you may use the formula below. Note that car loan repayment ranges from 5-7 years.
Car budget: (annual net income – annual total expenses = excess x years to pay for car loan) + your savings for down payment
Getting a Certificate of Entitlement (COE)
As crazy as it sounds, COE or Certificate of Entitlement is uniquely Singaporean! COE is a certificate that gives you the right to register, own and use a vehicle for 10 years in Singapore. When it expires, you have two options: scrap your vehicle or renew your COE for another 5 or 10 years.
Note that the number of available COEs is determined every 6 months and there is a limit per category as commanded by the Land Transport Authority (LTA).
If you’re getting a new car, you have bid for your vehicle (scheduled twice a month) to be able to drive it.
How does the COE open bidding work?
COE Open Bidding exercises happen every 1st and 3rd Monday of the month. It starts at 12 noon and closes on Wednesday the same week at 4 pm. To get more info about upcoming bidding exercises, go to LTA Press Room > tick News Releases and type COE.
Think of it as an auction where individuals outbid each other to secure one of the limited COEs available! To be able to bid, you need to enter a Reserve Price, or how much you are willing to pay for a slot. Minimum reserve price is $1, and bidding must be in multiples of $1. If you think your bid is too low, you can revise it but do note that it will recur an additional administrative fee.
To bid, you must have an active account on these banks:
- DBS /POSB (Individuals)
- DBS (Companies and Motor traders)
- Maybank (Companies and Motor traders)
- UOB (Companies and Motor traders)
- LTA Open Bidding Website
The amount winning bidders will pay is based on the Quota Premium (QP) or Prevailing Quota Premium (PQP). This is the highest unsuccessful bid price, and adding $1.
Bid results will be published on the LTA Open Bidding website.
What are the other fees involved?
- Once you submit your bid application, expect a fixed bid deposit to be deducted from your bank account.
| CATEGORY | BID DEPOSIT |
| A: Cars with an engine capacity of 1600cc and below | $10,000 |
| B: Cars with an engine capacity above 1600cc | $10,000 |
| C: Goods vehicles, buses | $10,000 |
| D: Motorbikes | $200 |
| E: Open category, for all vehicles except motorcycles | $10,000 |
- This deposit will be refunded to you a day after the COE results are in, if your bid was unsuccessful.
- There will also be a non-refundable administration fee, as mentioned above worth $2-$10.
However, if you find that process too time-consuming, there are simpler ways to go about it:
- Let the car dealerships secure bids for you, or
- Buy a new or used car with a ready COE
Step 3: Shop around for “the one”
Buying your first car is like finding a partner. Take all the time you need to browse for the right dealer/direct owner, price and inspect the unit thoroughly!
Did you know that looking for a vehicle to buy is now more beginner-friendly? Online platforms like Carousell offer a wide variety of car options for you, whether new or used. By browsing listings and seller profiles, you have control on who to deal with and full transparency on car specifications (ex: engine, mileage, years of COE validity) to help you make an informed decision. Heck, you might even be buying a car from your ex-classmate in secondary school!
Eyeing to buy a used car? We shared more in-depth car inspection and viewing tips for you here.
Step 4: Take a test drive
We’re almost there! Once you have a shortlist of cars that match your lifestyle and budget, it’s time to do test drives. This is the opportunity to gauge which one is the right fit for you in terms of performance and ease of use. Here are a few more tips to make the most out of this session:
- Try bringing along friends or family in the showroom to obtain feedback from a passenger’s perspective (ex: leg room, cargo area space, comfort)
- Drive on routes like tight corners, rough road or highway to test it under normal and difficult conditions
- Don’t rush this step or be pressured to take a car you are not 100% sure with. Preventing buyer’s remorse is better than being stuck with a car you are not happy with!
Step 5: Apply for car financing
Now that you have an idea of your car budget and the what you want to buy, let’s talk about financing.
It’s no secret that buying a car in Singapore comes with a really, really high price tag. Unless you have a huge fortune dedicated to this purchase already, most Singaporeans opt to apply for a car loan instead.
There are actually three ways to do it:
- Direct to bank
- Bank loan through a car dealer, or
- Car dealer’s in-house financing arm.
Note that interest rates (ex: banks at around 2.78% p.a.) and payment terms (up to 7 years) vary per provider. Make sure to “window shop” first so you can find one that fits your budget!
As a friend, here’s my two cents–When applying for a car loan, it is advisable to take a shorter payment term. Interest rates over a long period of time will compound and incur you more costs in the long run.
Tip: If you’re looking for quick approval and hassle-free car loan at the best rates possible, our friends at SwiftQuote can assist you.
Step 6: Seal the deal and paperworks
Before giving your sweet “yes” to the seller, there are a few more things you can do to ensure everything is good to go:
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- As we’ve touched earlier, the car is not just the sole thing you are paying for. Be prepared to read the fine print for hidden costs, fees, taxes, and other expenses tied to the purchase.
- Clarify all the terms of financing, insurance and warranty agreements before signing anything.
- If you need tips on how to negotiate for the best deal, you may want to check out our previous post.
And.. that’s about it. We hope this guide has given you helpful information and more confidence to start buying the car of your dreams.🚗 All the best!
