How to sell your car in Singapore, step by step

Short answer: get a realistic valuation, decide how you want to sell (to a dealer, through a dealer on consignment, or privately), settle any outstanding loan, and transfer ownership through LTA's OneMotoring. A dealer can handle every step after the valuation for you. Selling to a dealer can be done within days of agreeing a price.

1. Know what decides the price

In Singapore a used car's price comes down to a few things, in roughly this order:

• COE left. Every car can only be driven until its COE expires, so the years remaining are the biggest single factor. A car with 7 years of COE left is worth far more than the same car with 2.
• The paper value. If the car is under 10 years old, it carries a PARF rebate and a COE rebate you would get back by deregistering it. That sets a floor under the price: no one should offer you less than the car is worth as scrap.
• Make, model and demand. Popular, reliable models sell quickly. Luxury, performance and enthusiast cars can fetch more, but need the right buyer.
• Mileage, condition and records. A full service history, no accident damage and two keys all add to the price.
• The market. When COE premiums rise, used cars become worth more, and the other way round.

The quickest way to a number is to compare similar cars for sale with the same COE left, then ask a dealer for a valuation.

2. Sell it, or scrap it?

If your car is near the end of its COE, or under 10 years old with a large rebate, it can be worth more deregistered than sold. When you deregister a car you get back:

• the PARF rebate, a share of the Additional Registration Fee you paid when the car was registered. It is larger the younger the car, and nothing once it is over 10 years old;
• the COE rebate, the unused part of the COE.

A dealer's offer should be at least this paper value. If it is not, ask why. LTA's OneMotoring has an enquiry service that shows the rebates for your car.

3. Choose how to sell

Most people sell to a dealer for speed and certainty. Consignment suits cars that need the right buyer; read how car consignment works before you decide. Selling privately can pay the most, but you deal with every enquiry, viewing, test drive and the paperwork yourself.

4. Settle any outstanding loan

You can sell a car that still has a loan. The loan has to be fully settled before LTA will let ownership change:

1. Ask your lender for a settlement letter: the exact amount to clear the loan on a given date.
2. When you sell to a dealer, the dealer usually pays the lender directly and pays you the balance.
3. Early settlement normally costs a fee and you get back less interest than you might expect; see what early settlement of a car loan really costs.

If you owe more than the car is worth, you pay the difference to clear the loan.

5. Transfer ownership

Ownership is transferred online through LTA's OneMotoring, and the seller starts it:

1. Seller logs in with Singpass and enters the car's registration number and the buyer's NRIC or FIN.
2. Buyer confirms the transfer online. The buyer must already have motor insurance in their own name covering the car.
3. Buyer pays the transfer fee.
4. The car is now the buyer's. Cancel your insurance and stop any GIRO for road tax.

All fines, outstanding road tax and parking charges must be cleared first, or the transfer cannot go through. If you sell to a dealer, the dealer handles the transfer for you; you just log in to approve it. Keeping your car number for your next car costs a retention fee, and must be arranged before the transfer.

6. Get paid

• Dealer: usually paid on the day of transfer, after any loan is settled.
• Consignment: paid the agreed amount when the car sells.
• Private sale: agree how and when you will be paid before you start the transfer, and never hand over the car before the money has cleared.

Your checklist

• Logbook details (registration number, COE expiry)
• Your Singpass for the transfer
• Settlement letter from your lender, if there is a loan
• Service records and both keys
• No unpaid fines, road tax or parking charges

Selling your car to Kaze Motors

We buy cars outright, take luxury, performance and enthusiast cars on consignment, and accept trade-ins against any car we have for sale. Tell us about your car and we will give you a number, explain your options, and handle the loan settlement and LTA transfer for you. Get a valuation or see how consigning with us works.

Sources

Checked on 21 October 2026 against the official sources. Rules and fees change, so check them again for any decision that depends on them.

• LTA OneMotoring: Transfer ownership
• LTA OneMotoring: Deregister a vehicle
• LTA OneMotoring: PARF and COE rebates