When your commercial vehicle is approaching COE expiry, every month counts. The decisions you make in the final 12 to 18 months of your vehicle's COE can mean a difference of tens of thousands of dollars — depending on whether you sell, renew, or deregister. This page gives you the facts you need: what your lorry or van is worth near COE expiry, how deregistration value is calculated for goods vehicles, and how ABLINK buys your vehicle directly with a free quotation and same-day response.
Your 3 Options When Commercial Vehicle COE Expires
When a goods vehicle — lorry, van, or truck — reaches the end of its 10-year COE in Singapore, LTA gives you three legal paths forward.
Option 1: Renew the COE. You pay the Prevailing Quota Premium (PQP) for Category C goods vehicles, either at 50% of PQP for a 5-year renewal or 100% of PQP for a 10-year renewal. From year 11 onwards, road tax surcharges apply and increase annually, reaching a cap of 50% of the standard road tax rate from year 15 and beyond. The vehicle also enters half-yearly LTA inspection cycles instead of annual ones.
Option 2: Deregister the vehicle. You surrender the vehicle for deregistration and receive a COE rebate based on unused COE period remaining. The vehicle is then scrapped or exported. No further road tax or maintenance obligations arise after deregistration is complete.
Option 3: Sell to a licensed dealer. You sell the vehicle to a licensed commercial vehicle dealer — such as ABLINK — who handles the purchase, ownership transfer, and subsequent deregistration. You receive the agreed market value, which typically exceeds bare scrap value, particularly if the vehicle is in working condition.
For a full cost breakdown of COE renewal versus buying new — including road tax surcharge tables and EV grant eligibility — read the COE Renewal vs Buy New: Commercial Vehicle Guide 2026.
Lorry Deregistration Value in Singapore: How It Is Calculated
For goods vehicles in Singapore — lorries, vans, and trucks — the deregistration value consists of the COE rebate only. Unlike private cars and taxis, commercial goods vehicles are not eligible for PARF (Preferential Additional Registration Fee) rebates. This is an important distinction that affects your financial planning.
The COE rebate is calculated on a pro-rated basis. LTA determines the rebate amount from the original COE price paid when the vehicle was first registered and the amount of unused COE period remaining at the time of deregistration. The longer the remaining unused COE at deregistration, the higher the rebate.
Selling before COE expiry preserves rebate value. A vehicle with 6 to 10 months of COE remaining at the point of sale still carries a pro-rated COE value, which a dealer factors into the purchase offer. Once COE expires and is not renewed, there is no rebate remaining and the vehicle cannot be driven legally.
Market resale value from a dealer is separate from deregistration value. When you sell to a dealer, the price offered reflects the vehicle's market value — which accounts for remaining COE, vehicle condition, mileage, make and model, and current market demand — not just the raw deregistration rebate figure. Working vehicles in good condition consistently receive offers above bare deregistration value.
To check the current pro-rated COE rebate for your specific vehicle, use the LTA PARF/COE Rebate Enquiry tool using your vehicle plate number.
What Affects Your Lorry or Van's Value Near COE Expiry
Several factors determine how much a buyer will offer for your commercial vehicle as it approaches the end of its COE.
Remaining COE Period
The more unused COE remaining, the higher your vehicle's recoverable value. A vehicle sold with 8 months of COE left commands a better offer than one sold at the final week. If you are planning to sell, acting 3 to 6 months before expiry — rather than at the last moment — typically yields a stronger outcome.
Vehicle Condition and Mileage
A lorry or van that meets LTA roadworthy standards and has maintained regular servicing holds more market value. Body condition, tyre wear, engine health, and availability of recent service records all factor into a dealer's assessment. Vehicles with outstanding defects or overdue inspections can still be sold, but the offer will reflect the cost of resolution.
Make and Model
Certain models retain demand even near COE expiry because parts remain widely available and smaller operators and subcontractors continue to buy and run these vehicles. Toyota Hiace, Toyota Dyna, Nissan Cabstar, and Isuzu lorries are examples of models with consistent secondary market demand in Singapore. Discontinued models with limited parts availability tend to command lower offers at this stage.
Vehicle History and Documentation
Complete logbooks, service history, and LTA inspection records allow a buyer to price with confidence rather than applying a risk discount. Vehicles with clean, traceable histories consistently achieve better offers.
When Selling Makes More Sense Than Renewing
There is no universally correct answer between selling and renewing — your decision depends on your vehicle's condition, your business cashflow, and your operational plans. That said, selling before or at COE expiry tends to make stronger financial sense in the following situations.
Repair costs are accelerating. From year 10 onwards, goods vehicles enter half-yearly LTA inspections and road tax surcharges begin. If your workshop is already flagging recurring mechanical issues on top of these increasing holding costs, renewal may not be economically sustainable for the vehicle's remaining working life.
Your renewal period exceeds your likely usage window. If you renew for 5 years at 50% of PQP but realistically expect to replace the vehicle within 2 to 3 years — due to load requirement changes, expansion, or electrification plans — you are paying for COE time you will not use.
You are planning to upgrade to an electric model. Singapore's Commercial Vehicle Emissions Scheme (CVES) grants for electric commercial vehicles are available on new vehicle registration only — not on COE renewal. Selling your current vehicle and registering a new EV commercial vehicle allows access to the grant, which is not available by any other route.
Your vehicle is approaching the 20-year statutory lifespan. All goods vehicles in Singapore must be deregistered by the time they reach 20 years from original registration date. A vehicle already past COE renewal approaching this ceiling has a finite and diminishing useful life, which affects both operational reliability and resale value.
Read the detailed cost comparison: COE Renewal vs Buy New: Commercial Vehicle Guide 2026
How ABLINK Buys Your Lorry or Van Near COE Expiry
ABLINK is a licensed commercial vehicle dealer based in Singapore. We buy vans, lorries, pickup trucks, and electric commercial vehicles directly from owners — at or before COE expiry — with no commission, no middlemen, and no obligation to proceed after receiving your quote.
Vehicles we buy:
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10ft and 14ft diesel and petrol lorries
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Cargo vans and panel vans (all major makes)
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Refrigerated vans and temperature-controlled vehicles
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Electric commercial vehicles and EV vans
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Pickup trucks, single-cab and double-cab
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Heavy goods vehicles and trucks
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Fleet vehicles from logistics, construction, F&B, and retail operators
How the process works:
Submit your vehicle details on the Sell Vehicle page — vehicle plate number, approximate mileage, and a brief description of condition. Our team will contact you within 1 hour via WhatsApp with a market-based valuation. If you accept, we proceed with ownership transfer and all LTA documentation is handled in-house. Payment is made promptly upon completion.
There are no deductions after an agreed price, no hidden administration fees, and no obligation if you choose not to proceed.
If you are also looking to replace your vehicle, view current new and used stock on the New Commercial Vehicles page or explore financing options in the Commercial Vehicle Financing Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sell my lorry or van before the COE expires?
Yes. You can sell your commercial vehicle to a licensed dealer at any point — before, at, or immediately after COE expiry. Selling before expiry is generally preferable because the remaining COE value can be factored into the offer. Once COE has expired, the vehicle cannot be used on public roads until either renewed or deregistered, which significantly limits your ability to negotiate and transact.
What is the deregistration value of a commercial vehicle in Singapore?
For goods vehicles — lorries, vans, and trucks — the deregistration value is equal to the COE rebate only. Unlike private cars, commercial goods vehicles do not receive PARF rebates. The COE rebate is calculated on a pro-rated basis from the original COE price paid and the unused COE period remaining at deregistration. You can check your specific vehicle's current COE rebate amount using the LTA PARF/COE Rebate Enquiry tool.
Does the Budget 2026 PARF rebate change affect commercial vehicle owners?
No. The Budget 2026 changes to PARF rebate rates apply to private cars and taxis only. Commercial goods vehicles — lorries, vans, and trucks — remain ineligible for PARF rebates. This change does not affect your deregistration value calculation as a commercial vehicle owner.
How is the market resale price different from the deregistration value?
Deregistration value is what you receive from the government when the vehicle is scrapped — in the case of goods vehicles, this is the COE rebate only. Market resale price from a dealer is what a buyer pays for the vehicle itself, which reflects remaining COE value, vehicle condition, mileage, model, and current demand. A working lorry or van in good condition will command a market price above the raw deregistration rebate figure.
What happens if I let the COE expire without selling or renewing?
Once COE expires, the vehicle is not roadworthy and cannot be used on public roads. You must renew, sell to a dealer, or deregister for scrap. Waiting beyond expiry does not preserve value — the pro-rated COE rebate approaches zero as the expiry date passes, and the vehicle's practical appeal to buyers diminishes once it cannot be road-tested or operated.
Does ABLINK buy commercial vehicles in any condition?
Yes. ABLINK evaluates all vehicles individually regardless of mileage or cosmetic wear. Vehicles with higher mileage, wear, or upcoming inspection requirements are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Submit your vehicle details on the Sell Vehicle page for an honest, no-obligation valuation.
Can I sell my current vehicle and buy a replacement through ABLINK at the same time?
Yes. ABLINK handles both the purchase of your existing vehicle and the supply of a replacement — including new diesel, petrol, and electric commercial vehicles. If you are considering an electric replacement, our team can advise on current CVES grant eligibility. View available stock on the New Commercial Vehicles page.
Get a Free Quotation Today
ABLINK buys commercial vehicles — lorries, vans, trucks, and EVs — directly from owners across Singapore. No middlemen, no hidden fees, same-day response.
📋 Submit your vehicle for a free quotation →
📲 WhatsApp: +65 8946 8228
📧 sales@ablink.sg
📍 421 Tagore Industrial Avenue, Tagore 8 Building, #02-13, Singapore 787805
Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM | Saturday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
The information on this page is provided for general guidance only. COE rebate amounts, PQP rates, road tax surcharge structures, statutory lifespan rules, CVES grant eligibility, and all related LTA regulations are subject to change by the relevant Singapore government authorities. Always verify current figures and requirements directly with LTA OneMotoring before making financial or operational decisions.
