CERTIFICATES of Entitlement (COE) prices continue to fall across the board in the latest tender on Wednesday, with the premium for bigger cars posting the biggest drop.

That premium for cars above 1,600cc dived by more than $3,000 to end at a 10-month low of $13,114.

The COE for cars up to 1,600cc fell by more than $2,000 to finish at $12,001 - again one of the lowest this year.

The Open COE, used mainly for cars, was down by around $1,500 to end at $15,501.

Commercial vehicle COE closed at exaclty $13,000 - about $1,400 lower than its previous rate.

Even motorcycle COE ended lower at $1,012 - from $1,052 previously.

Motor traders said the market was quiet, as the year-end holidays and an absence of new mainstream models kept buyers away.

Bids for the above-1,600cc category were just 15 per cent more than the supply of COEs, reflecting a weak order bank.

In the last round, they were 19 per cent above COE supply.

Car agents are expected to cut prices in response to the lower premiums.

Toyota distributor Borneo Motors for instance, has slashed prices by $2,000 all round.

The reduction is expected to stir some interest, which means premiums in the next tender - the week before Christmas - should rise.