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Scrap Value of Your Car After 10 or 15 Years: Sell, Renew or Scrap in Singapore
If your car is approaching its 10-year COE expiration—or is well into its second decade—you're likely asking: Should I renew the COE, sell it, or scrap the car entirely?
In Singapore, car ownership involves careful consideration of long-term use, depreciation, and the eventual need to sell or scrap your vehicle. As your car reaches the 10 or 15-year mark, understanding how ownership duration affects depreciation and scrap value is crucial. Making the right decision at this stage can save you thousands. Here's a no-jargon, hassle-free guide on what happens to cars in Singapore after 10 years, including your options for getting the best scrap value or sales price for your vehicle, and how professional businesses in the scrap car industry can help.
Option 1: Renew Your COE
Renewing your Certificate of Entitlement (COE) lets you keep your car on the road, but it comes with some conditions:
- A 10-year renewal gives you another full COE cycle.
- A 5-year renewal is cheaper upfront, but you won't be able to renew again.
To renew, you'll need to pay the Prevailing Quota Premium (PQP), which is the moving average of the COE prices in the preceding three months. The specific amount depends on your vehicle's category (Category A or B). You can check the current PQP rates and find the renewal application details on the official OneMotoring COE Renewal page.
But renewing isn't always the most cost-effective choice. Many factors affect long-term costs, such as higher road taxes, expensive repairs, and decreased resale value. It may not make financial sense to invest in a new COE for an old car with declining performance and requiring considerable.
Option 2: Sell Your Car
If your car is still in good condition, selling it may give you more money than scrapping Used car dealers and export agents are often willing to pay a premium, especially if your car model is in demand overseas.
Try platforms like:
- Sgcarmart: for getting a free valuation service and listing your car to sale.
- Motorist.sg: lets over 150 dealers bid for your car so you get the best price.
Be sure to settle all outstanding car loans, and check your PARF rebate eligibility if your car is under 10 years old.
As the owner, you are responsible for ensuring all necessary documents are prepared and any outstanding payments are cleared before the sale. Selling also means transferring vehicle ownership, submitting the required documents, and handling all the paperwork. Once all paperwork is completed, ownership is officially transferred to the buyer or dealer. A trusted dealer or car agent can assist with the entire process.
Option 3: Scrap Your Car
If your vehicle is too old or no longer roadworthy, scrapping may be the most straightforward and profitable choice. Professional car scrap businesses play a crucial role in providing reliable, transparent services, handling all aspects of the car scrap process for various types of vehicles. These businesses ensure a hassle-free experience by managing quoting, paperwork, collection, and payment.
Here's what to expect if you proceed with scrapping your car:
What Is the Scrap Value of my Car?
The scrap value of your car includes two key components:
- COE Rebate: A prorated refund based on how many months are left on your COE.
- PARF Rebate: Available only if your car is under 10 years old and eligible for the Preferential Additional Registration Fee refund.
You can check the scrap value of your car after 10 years or 15 years using the OneMotoring Scrap Value Calculator.
If your COE has already expired or the car is 15+ years old, you'll only receive the COE rebate. The body of the car might fetch extra from a scrap car dealer depending on make, condition, and current market demand.
The scrap value of your car is the sum of your PARF rebate and COE rebate. For cars registered from February 2026, the PARF rebate is now capped at S$30,000 and is calculated as a revised percentage of your Additional Registration Fee (ARF). To see the latest 2026 rebate schedules and calculate your specific vehicle's paper value, refer to the official OneMotoring Deregulation and Rebates page.
The AA offers a free scrap car service for members. You'll need to have your documents in order.
LTA Guidelines and Regulations
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has set out strict guidelines and regulations to ensure that cars in Singapore are scrapped and disposed of properly. Before you can deregister your car, you must settle all outstanding car loans and road taxes. Once these are cleared, you'll need the following documents, your NRIC, vehicle log card, and proof of settlement of all vehicle loans.
It's important to use an LTA-approved scrap car dealer or agent to handle the disposal of your vehicle. These professionals are familiar with the process and can assist you in submitting all the necessary paperwork, ensuring that your car is properly deregistered and that you receive any eligible rebates. The LTA website provides a comprehensive list of required documents and step-by-step instructions for scrapping your car. By complying with regulations, car owners can avoid fines, penalties, and unnecessary hassle, making the entire process of scrapping your vehicle as smooth as possible.
How to Scrap a Car in Singapore (Step-by-Step)
1. Deregister Your Vehicle
- Visit OneMotoring to initiate deregistration. Crucially, you should drive your vehicle to the LTA-appointed scrapyard before you click 'deregister' on the portal.
- Transportation: Once a vehicle is deregistered, it is no longer legal to drive on public roads. If you deregister while the car is still at home, you will be required to hire a tow truck to transport it to the disposal point.
- License Plates: You must remove the physical license plates at the scrapyard. These are often required by the yard as part of the disposal verification.
Personal Items: Ensure all personal belongings and your IU (In-vehicle Unit) or OBU (On-Board Unit) are removed. You may be able to receive a small refund for your IU/OBU deposit if applicable.
You can also do this in person at an LTA Customer Service Centre.
2. Submit Proof of Disposal
Once deregistered, you have one month to prove your car has been properly disposed of through an LTA-appointed scrapyard. Failure to submit proof can lead to a fine and/or imprisonment.
3. Collect Your Payment
Engaging a trusted scrap car agent reduces hassle and payments delays. These agents can also attend to:
- Paperwork
- Deregistration
- COE and PARF rebate encashment
- Arranging car pickup from your doorstep
Scrap car agents will try to help you maximise your car's scrap value, are able to offer competitive prices, and importantly, will ensure your car is properly disposed of.
Some scrap car dealers might even offer cash on the spot or same-day bank transfer after inspecting your car details and condition.
Exporting Options
If you’re considering alternatives to scrapping, exporting your car is another viable option in Singapore. Exporting involves sending your vehicle to another country where it may still have value, especially if it’s a model in demand overseas. The process requires you to gather specific documents, such as a certificate of export and a bill of lading, and to comply with the Land Transport Authority’s export regulations.
Before exporting, make sure all outstanding loans and taxes on your vehicle are fully settled. You’ll also need to deregister your car with the LTA and submit the required documents. Many car owners choose to engage a freight forwarder or export agent to assist with the process, as exporting can be complex and involves multiple steps. The LTA website offers guidance on the export process, and professional agents can help ensure your transaction is completed smoothly and in compliance with all regulations. Exporting can sometimes yield a higher return than scrapping, so it’s worth exploring if your car is in demand overseas or in relatively good condition.
What Are Your Alternatives?
- Exporting: Export markets vary, but if your car model is in demand overseas exporters will usually offer you a higher sales price than local dealers.
- COE Renewal: Renewing your COE may be viable if your car is low mileage, has been well-maintained and future repair costs are low. When considering COE renewal, it's important to check your PARF/COE eligibility, as you may forfeit your PARF value if you renew instead of scrapping or selling. Understanding your PARF value helps you weigh the financial impact of each option.
- Buy a New Car: If within budget, buying a new car with a fresh COE or lightly used car with a length COE with might be the cleanest break.
Final Tips
- Consider using platforms like Motorist.sg or Sgcarmart to get quotes from multiple scrap car dealers.
- Submit your rebate applications within 12 months of deregistration.
- Cancel your insurance policy and check for refunds of remaining premium.
- Don’t delay—scrap car values drop each month as your car depreciates.
Conclusion
Whether you renew, sell, or scrap your car, the first step to making the most out of your vehicle's final years is to understand the options available to you. Scrapping your car might seem like a hassle, however, the process can be quick and transparent if you engage the right scrap car agent or dealer.
With reputable scrap car dealers, proper documentation, and support from platforms like OneMotoring, scrapping your car can be a hassle-free way to get more money back and move forward—either with a new car, or without one altogether.
