This breakdown is for a young professional, around 28, buying a first car. The car is the Toyota Corolla Altis, a sedan made in Thailand. The figures come from a new-car list, LTA's road tax formula and our Toyota Corolla Altis price page as of 22 October 2026.
Some costs have firm figures. Others depend on how you live and drive, so they appear in words only.
What the car costs to buy
Three versions of the Corolla Altis appear on a new-car list read on 10 October 2026. The list prices include COE as listed that day.
- Corolla Altis 1.6 Standard, petrol, 1,598cc: S$197,888 as listed on 10 October 2026
- Corolla Altis 1.6 Elegance, petrol, 1,598cc: S$205,888 as listed on 10 October 2026
- Corolla Altis Hybrid 1.8, petrol-electric, 1,798cc: S$214,888 as listed on 10 October 2026
These are list prices on one day, not today's prices. Ask the seller for a current quote in writing. Check what it includes, such as registration and the first year's road tax.
Most first-time buyers take a car loan. The figures here do not cover loan limits, down payments or interest rates. Ask the lender for the current limits and the total interest over the loan. The monthly instalment is often the biggest regular cost of a first car.
The COE inside the price
The COE is a large part of any car's price in Singapore. Our price page gives the COE position for the Corolla Altis 1.6 with its 1,598cc engine.
- It needs a Category A COE if its power is 97kW (130bhp) or less. Category A closed at S$132,004 in the October 2026, 2nd round.
- It needs a Category B COE if its power is more. Category B closed at S$131,901 in the same round.
Confirm the category for the exact version with the seller. LTA's OneMotoring site sets out the category rules. Our COE page shows the latest results.
Road tax
Road tax follows LTA's formula, checked on 19 October 2026. For a 1,598cc engine, it is S$741.72 a year before any age surcharge. That covers both 1.6 versions.
The Hybrid 1.8 has a 1,798cc engine. Its road tax is not worked out here. Check it on OneMotoring before you compare the hybrid with the 1.6.
An age surcharge applies to cars over 10 years old:
- over 10 years: +10%
- over 11 years: +20%
- over 12 years: +30%
- over 13 years: +40%
- over 14 years: +50%
A new car will not face this surcharge for many years. It matters only if you keep the car past that age. Our road tax guide explains how the tax works.
Insurance for a young driver against an older one
Insurance is where age shows up most in the yearly costs. Our price page prices the Corolla Altis 1.6 for a set driver. The car is 3 years old, for private use, with comprehensive cover and repairs at an authorised workshop. All prices include 9% GST.
Here is what the page shows today. These are examples for the stated driver, not what you will pay.
- Driver aged 40, married, office job, 10 years' driving, 50% NCD: lowest premium S$642.42 across 16 insurers.
- Driver aged 27, 3 years' driving, 30% NCD: lowest premium S$710.92 across 16 insurers. That is S$68.50 more than the 40-year-old.
The page has no example at exactly 28. The driver aged 27 is the closest one shown.
Two other lines on the page help a first-time owner:
- The 40-year-old driver with no NCD (0%) also has a lowest price of S$710.92.
- A new car registered this year, for the 40-year-old, has a lowest price of S$660.69. That is S$18.27 more than the 3-year-old car.
A new driver at 28 may have a fresh licence and no NCD at all. The page does not price that exact case. Your own quote depends on your age, driving years, NCD and claims history. Our guide to car insurance for young drivers covers what insurers look at.
How far premiums spread
The lowest price is only one end of the range. For the 40-year-old driver, the dearest of the 16 insurers asks at least S$1,232.96. That is S$590.54, or 92%, more than the lowest. The same gap pattern is likely to matter for a younger driver, so compare several quotes side by side.
Our compare page lists the plans in one place.
Excess and workshop choice
The premium is not the only number on a policy. The excess is what you pay towards each claim before the insurer pays.
On the price page, the excess runs from S$0 to S$3,000 across the plans. Common figures are S$500, S$600, S$750, S$1,200, S$2,000 and S$2,500. A low premium can come with a high excess.
When you compare, check:
- the excess for the main driver
- any extra excess for a young or inexperienced driver
- whether repairs must be at an authorised workshop or any workshop
Our pages on car insurance excess and authorised or any workshop explain each choice.
How the no-claim discount builds
A first car usually starts with little or no NCD. Each claim-free year can raise it. On the price page, the 40-year-old with 50% NCD pays S$642.42, against S$710.92 with no NCD.
A claim can cut the NCD back. Our no-claim discount guide explains the steps and what NCD protection does.
Costs that depend on the owner
Several costs have no fixed figure here. They depend on where you live, where you work and how you drive.
- Parking. Season parking at an HDB car park, at work, or both. Check the current charges where you park.
- Petrol. This depends on your mileage and driving style. Smooth driving on the expressways and fewer short trips can help.
- ERP. Charges depend on your routes and times. Check the rates on OneMotoring.
- Servicing and tyres. Ask the seller about the service schedule and what the warranty covers.
- Fines and demerit points. These depend on your own driving. LTA and the Singapore Police Force set out the rules.
Add these to the monthly loan instalment for a fuller picture of the yearly cost.
What this adds up to
- List price, Corolla Altis 1.6 Standard: S$197,888 as listed on 10 October 2026
- List price, Corolla Altis 1.6 Elegance: S$205,888 as listed on 10 October 2026
- List price, Corolla Altis Hybrid 1.8: S$214,888 as listed on 10 October 2026
- COE, October 2026 2nd round: Category A S$132,004, Category B S$131,901
- Road tax, 1,598cc: S$741.72 a year before any age surcharge
- Lowest premium today, driver aged 27 with 30% NCD: S$710.92
- Lowest premium today, driver aged 40 with 50% NCD: S$642.42
- Gap between those two drivers: S$68.50
- Excess across plans on the page: S$0 to S$3,000
Car insurance through Shenton Brokers
Before you drive off or renew, get your car insurance through Shenton Brokers. Compare car insurance for the Toyota Corolla Altis to see today's prices from every insurer we compare. Or get a quote with your own details.