The BEST Used Cars that get CHEAPER when COE Goes HIGHER in Singapore!

Product/Topic Reviewed

Used-car picks in Singapore that are expected to be cheaper when COE rises, focusing on specific recommended models and why their pricing benefits from higher COE (especially for ~8–9 year-old cars).

Key COE Context (given in video)

• COE increased across all categories (as of 19 Aug 2026):
  • Cat A: ~$128,501
  • Cat B: ~$131,000 (about +$1,000)
  • Cat E: up to ~$135,000
• Driver suggested: expectation of EV rebate/tax changes next year, leading buyers to panic-buy EVs now.
  • This can shrink supply of “normal” price deals.
  • Meanwhile, used prices for certain COE-sensitive cars can soften.

Core Thesis: Why Higher COE Can Mean Lower Prices for Some Used Cars

When COE rises, buyers become more hesitant to pay high prices for cars that may face high COE renewal costs.

This can make older used cars (~8–9 years old) easier to bargain on because:

• Some buyers want to ride out high COE and hope it drops later.
• Others fear COE renewal stays high after 1–1.5 years, so they spend less upfront.

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Recommended Cars (4)

1) Toyota Camry (XV50), 2.5L variant mentioned (note says SG 2.0L)

Positioning / Main Value

• Framed as one of the most reliable, low-maintenance sedans: “Toyota gets the Camry right.”
• Family/luxury space: full-size sedan with space for 5 and a huge boot.
• Longevity claim: not even in the first 25% of potential mileage; capable of ~400k–600k km.

Pricing Math / Numerical Claims

• Mentions ~2 years left (COE remaining).
• “Depreciation on this is 16k” to estimate net effective cost.
• Example effective cost: $40–43k − 16k ≈ $27k.
• Cost-over-time rough comparison:
  • If COE renewal happens over ~12 years: ~$165–$170 total
  • Implied running cost: ~$15k/year
• Comparisons:
  • Much cheaper than a BYD Atto
  • Much cheaper than a SEAT Leon

Pros

• Strong reliability
• Low maintenance
• Practical luxury and space
• Parts availability implied; ownership described as straightforward

Cons / Limitations

• Less “sporty/German crispness,” not focused on sporty driving

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2) Škoda Kodiaq (7-seater SUV), 2.0L (VW-group / Golf platform shared)

Positioning / Main Value

• Recommended mainly due to keen pricing for a 7-seat full-size SUV.
• Uses the VW Golf platform across VW group (stretches to multiple cars).
• Parts availability: VW parts are said to be easily available in Singapore; platform used on millions of vehicles.
• Cabin design mentioned as a “best blend”:
  • Physical dials/controls (e.g., aircon)
  • Touchscreen for infotainment/navigation

Tradeoff

• “Back two seats are quite small” → children-only.

Pricing Math / Numerical Claims

• Mentions depreciation around 17–18.
• Example rough totals:
  • ~$72 for 3 years
  • ~+$125 for 10 years
  • Total roughly ~$200 over ~13 years
• Comparison:
  • “BYD Atto would be ~$200 for 10 years”
  • Framed as giving more space and nicer build quality than newer EV makers at similar “all-in” cost.

Pros

• Strong value for 7-seat capability
• Better build quality than newer makers (as claimed)
• VW ecosystem means parts/support are easier

Cons

• Third-row/extra seats are small
• Not positioned as the most “Camry-level” reliability (VW reliability stated as lower than Toyota)

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3) Jaguar XF (2021-ish), 2.0L petrol (not the 2.0L diesel)

Positioning / Main Value

• “Surprisingly” recommended despite reputation for unreliability because the engine choice matters.
• Framed as a full-size luxury sedan (size compared to E-Class / 5 Series).
• Build quality praised: “superb build quality.”
• Reliability depends on engine:
  • 2.0L diesel in Singapore described as a “disaster” → avoid
  • 2.0L petrol shared with Ford; described as one of the best Ford engines, with broad global support (Mustang referenced)

Why Ford Engine Helps

• Parts and aftermarket support due to widespread use across Europe/world.
• Practical ownership benefits:
  • Road tax not too bad
  • Power feels strong; weight gives it a 3-liter-like feel in practice

Tech/User Experience

• Mentions infotainment and digital dials (not a major selling point, but included).

Pros

• Luxury experience at used prices
• Better ownership confidence if you choose the 2.0 petrol
• Engine parts ecosystem should be stable

Cons

• Must explicitly avoid the 2.0 diesel variant
• More “style + driving feel” than pure family neutrality (vs Camry)

Comparison

• Compared against alternatives like “BYD Atto” and premium European/German sedans of similar age being much more expensive (conceptually stated as ~50% higher, not precisely quantified).

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4) Jeep Compass (7–8 years old), 1.4L

Positioning / Main Value

• “OG SUV” idea: presented as undervalued in Singapore because many viewers overlook it.
• Practical size:
  • More compact than Corolla/Camry; “compact yet spacious” with SUV presence
• Engine/brand rationale:
  • Stellantis ownership (Chrysler/Jeep/Alfa Romeo) suggests it’s not a niche fly-by-night brand.
  • Uses a fairly common Stellantis engine, improving parts viability.

Road Tax + Power Claim

• 1.4L, 167 hp
• “~100 horsepower per ton”
• Described as reasonably fuel efficient

Pricing/Tenor Claims

• Depreciation mentioned: ~$12k.
• Example pricing comparisons:
  • Around $49k (example figure)
  • Versus similar-priced Corolla, but with “more time left” on COE:
    • Mentions examples like $45 with 1 year 9 months
    • $49 with 2 years 5 months
• Mileage example: ~97,000 km
• Reliability disclaimer:
  • Not Toyota-level, but “not catastrophically unreliable”; requires more research.

Pros

• Value for SUV look/presence with compact usability
• Undervalued pricing
• Engine/brand ecosystem means parts should be supported

Cons

• Reliability not at Toyota level → more due diligence recommended

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Overall Pros/Cons of the “Higher COE = Better Deal on Certain Used Cars” Strategy

Pros

• Higher COE can suppress resale demand for older used cars because buyers worry about COE renewal cost.
• The recommended models are argued to be better value than many mass-market new EVs being pushed.

Cons / Risk

• Strategy depends heavily on model selection and engine choice (especially avoiding Jaguar diesel).
• Reliability varies: Toyota > VW-group generally, and Jeep is not Toyota-level.
• Implied ownership-risk tradeoff: you may need more research and accept less predictability than buying a Toyota.

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Comparisons Made

• Against new EVs broadly: each car is framed as a “better pick” than brand new mass electric cars being promoted.
• Specific named comparisons:
  • BYD Atto (appears in Camry and Kodiaq comparisons)
  • SEAT Leon (Camry compared as cheaper)
  • Corolla (Jeep Compass pricing compared; Corolla described as having less COE time left)
  • Luxury German-brand equivalents referenced conceptually (Jaguar XF expected to be ~50% higher in comparison by age class, as stated)

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Numerical Claims / Ratings

• No formal star ratings or review scores.
• Quantitative claims include:
  • COE numbers by category (Cat A/B/E)
  • Depreciation estimates (e.g., 16k, 17–18, 12k)
  • Rough total cost estimates over time (e.g., ~$165–$170, ~$200 over ~13 years)
  • Age/mileage examples (Camry mileage cited as 131,000 km; Jeep ~97,000 km; Jaguar “~5.5 years old”)

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Verdict / Recommendation (Concise)

If COE is rising, the video recommends buying selected older (around 8–9 years) used cars that are undervalued due to COE-renewal fear.

Top picks emphasized:

• Toyota Camry (reliability/value)
• Škoda Kodiaq (space + VW parts support)
• Jaguar XF only with the 2.0 petrol (avoid 2.0 diesel)
• Jeep Compass (compact SUV value; requires more reliability due diligence)

Each is presented as potentially better value than many currently promoted new mass-market EVs.

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Speakers / Contributors

• Single primary speaker (Car Rush / “Ministry of Car” channel host) delivering all views and recommendations.
• No other distinct speaker perspectives are present in the subtitles.