Renew vs Scrap Calculator

Compare the cost of renewing your COE at PQP, scrapping and buying a new car, or going carless with ride-hailing and public transport.

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Renew vs Scrap Calculator

Compare four options when your COE expires: renew for 5 years, renew for 10 years, scrap and buy a new car, or go carless. Adjust the inputs to match your situation.

Current Vehicle

S$
S$

Annual Running

S$
S$
S$

Scenario Parameters

S$
S$
S$
PARF Rebate: S$14,000
COE Rebate: S$0
Total Scrap Value: S$14,000

Renew 5 Years

Keep your current vehicle for 5 more years

Total Cost

S$111,500

S$1,858/mo

PQP / Renewal S$90,000
Running (5 yrs) S$21,500

Renew 10 Years

Keep your current vehicle for 10 more years

Total Cost

S$133,000

S$1,108/mo

PQP / Renewal S$90,000
Running (10 yrs) S$43,000

Scrap + Buy New

Deregister and buy a new car (10-year ownership)

Total 10-Year Cost

S$179,000

S$1,492/mo

New Car Cost S$150,000
Less: Scrap Value -S$14,000
Running (10 yrs) S$43,000
Best Value

Go Carless

Rely on public transport and ride-hailing

Total 10-Year Cost

S$60,000

S$500/mo

Monthly Transport S$500
Over 10 years S$60,000

Cost Comparison

Renew 5 Years S$111,500
Renew 10 Years S$133,000
Buy New Car S$179,000
Go Carless S$60,000

Renew COE or Buy New: Making the Right Decision

Every car owner in Singapore faces this decision as their 10-year COE approaches expiry: renew at the Prevailing Quota Premium, scrap and buy a replacement, or go carless altogether. Each path has different cost implications that are not always obvious.

Renewing is attractive because you avoid paying a new ARF, dealer markup, and registration fees. But you keep an ageing car with potentially higher maintenance costs and no PARF safety net. You also forfeit the PARF and COE rebates you would otherwise receive upon deregistration.

Buying new means a fresh 10-year COE and a modern vehicle with warranty coverage, but the upfront cost — including COE, ARF, and dealer premium — can exceed S$150,000 even for a compact car. This calculator puts real numbers against each option so you can compare total spending over your next ownership period. For a deeper understanding of the COE lifecycle, read our complete guide to COE.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a 5-year and 10-year COE renewal?
A 10-year renewal costs the full Prevailing Quota Premium (PQP), while a 5-year renewal costs 50% of the PQP. The 5-year option is cheaper upfront but gives you less time with the car, and a second renewal is not allowed.
What happens to my PARF and COE rebate when I renew?
When you renew your COE at the 10-year mark, you forfeit the PARF rebate entirely. You also do not receive the COE rebate — both are only paid out upon deregistration. This is a significant cost to factor into the renewal decision.
How is the scrap value of my car calculated?
Scrap value = PARF rebate + COE rebate + body shell value (typically S$100-200). The PARF rebate depends on vehicle age and ARF paid, while the COE rebate is the remaining months of COE pro-rated against the premium you originally paid.
Is going carless a realistic option in Singapore?
For many households, a combination of MRT, buses, and ride-hailing can save S$1,000-2,000 per month compared to car ownership. The calculator compares your estimated transport spending against the cost of keeping or replacing your car to help you decide.

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