The short version: every category climbed this round. Both car categories set new highs for the year, and commercial vehicles crossed into record territory — the strongest across-the-board round of 2026 so far.
What moved
- Cat A (cars up to 1,600cc / 130bhp, EVs to 110kW): up $5,153 to $129,000 — a new 2026 high, reversing the dip from June's second round.
- Cat B (bigger and more powerful cars): up $7,387 to $130,889, also a 2026 peak and the biggest jump of the round in dollar terms.
- Cat C (goods vehicles & buses): $95,000 — an all-time record. Commercial operators renewing fleets are now paying premiums that rival car COEs from just two years ago.
- Cat E (open): up $799 to $129,801, sitting just under Cat B — consistent with dealers paying up for flexibility.
- Cat D (motorcycles): up $212 to $10,201, back above the $10k line.
What's driving it
This was the first exercise after a three-week gap (the Jul 6–8 round follows a longer interval in the bidding calendar), which typically concentrates pent-up demand into a single tender. The current May–July quota period also runs with a trimmed Cat A allocation, keeping supply tight just as showrooms push mid-year registrations. Cat C's record reflects a structural squeeze of its own: commercial fleet replacement cycles colliding with a small quota.
What it means if you're buying soon
Two practical reads. First, the next quota announcement (for the August–October period) is the biggest swing factor on the horizon — a quota increase would take pressure off; another trim would entrench these levels. Second, with Cat A and Cat B now separated by less than $2,000, the premium penalty for stepping up to a bigger or more powerful car is unusually small — if you were on the fence between an A-segment and B-segment car, this round narrows the gap to almost nothing.
If your current COE still has years to run, none of this forces your hand. If you're renewing, note that PQP (the renewal price) is a 3-month average — it lags spot results, which currently works in your favour. Current PQP figures are on the COE page.
Next bidding opens 20 July, results 22 July at 4pm — our live board updates automatically.
Tell me your target car and timeline — I'll give you a straight read on the COE cycle for your situation.
Figures from LTA published bidding results. This is general commentary, not financial advice.