Market Watch: Score These PARF Cars At S$1,000 Depreciation Per Month

Owning a car in Singapore has never really been a chill affair, and lately it’s feeling even heavier on the wallet. PARF rebates for new cars have been trimmed, COEs still stubbornly high, ERP rates are creeping up and we’ve seen virtual gantry tests hinting at even more flexible, and possibly pricier charges.

The ongoing fuel situation isn’t helping either!

But we get it - sometimes you really need a car. The convenience is just hard to beat.

So what we can do now? One option is to zoom in on the sweet spots in the used car market, and look for low depreciation options; you might be surprised that some are still priced in the buyer’s favour.

Yes, sub-S$1,000/month deprecation cars still exist - but they’ll be snapped up sooner! Nevertheless, identify PARF cars with a couple of years left - this is where the sweet spot lies at this juncture.

2018 Renault Scenic Diesel

We can’t buy new diesel passenger cars anymore. Still, we can see why a handful might still find this drivetrain tempting even in this challenging fuel climate. The benefit is apparent - more than 20km/l efficiency for this Renault Scenic means lesser visits to the pumps.

Sure, parts and servicing are not as widespread as other brands, and the diesel “clatter” won’t be to your liking, but a healthy dose of torque (260Nm) from its 1.5-litre motor makes it feel light on its feet. A good alternative to Japanese cars like the Honda Freed and Toyota Prius. Yours for S$11,500 depreciation annually!

2018 Peugeot 308 1.2 PureTech Allure

If hatchbacks appeal to you but you find the VW Golf and Mazda3 too mainstream, the Peugeot 308 is an alternative. A turbocharged 1.2-litre 3-cylinder petrol powerplant sits under the hood, pushing around 130 hp and 230 Nm. That’s sufficient for Singapore’s city streets.

True, it’s no heart-thumping, high-revving French hot hatch of the 80s, but factor in the value and practicality - this 68,000 km, 2-owner example hits the spot!

2016 Nissan Qashqai 1.2

One of the cheapest Nissan Qashqai in town will have quirks, right? This unit has faulty air conditioning, and that’ll set you back around S$1.2k according to the listing. For one that will hit the scrapyard in a couple of months, we’ll let you decide if it’s worth the effort. An ideal option for those looking for a (very!) short term drive and no loan burden.

And enjoy that PARF rebate while you still can!

2017 Mazda Axela Diesel 1.5

A rare groove machine might command a premium in some markets - not for this diesel-powered Mazda Axela, otherwise known as the Mazda 3 in our market. A high compression, sweet-revving NA motor makes way for a torque-rich 1.5-litre turbo diesel. It runs on a familiar 6-speed automatic and has a claimed efficiency of more than 20km/l.

COE expires in mid 2027, so you’ll have a year to decide if it’s worth paying a premium to drive a diesel car beyond 10 years. If you’re into that old school vibe, the way it pulls through the powerband can be addictive!

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