The final COE exercise of 2013 ended with premiums rising across all categories with Category B bringing in the widest difference.

Category A COEs, for cars of engine capacities of up to 1,600cc, were up by $842 - or 1.14 percent - to end at $74,002. This is only the second time premiums in this category have increased over the past five biddings besides a mild spike in early November.

Overall COE's in Category A saw steep drops from January to April and short but consistent increases from mid-April to mid-September.

Premiums have been fluctuating ever since although hovering between $70,000 and $80,000.

With only two more biddings to remain before over 41 models of different makes, which are currently under Category A, are re-classified under Category B, the small hike may suggest a last push by consumers and dealers to grab the cars they have been eyeing before they become unattainable.

Category B COEs, for cars of engine capacities above 1,600cc, went up by 3.55 percent - amounting - $2,690 to end today's session at $75,700 - after falling from $93,500 in early October to $73,010 two weeks ago. Category B COE premiums have largely seen sharp rises throughout the year despite crashing from $92,667 to $58,090 back in March.

The small hike could be a result of a number of new car launches including the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, where up to 400 models were reportedly sold - even before a formal local launch took place. Other luxury models include the Porsche Panamera plug-in hybrid and a trio of Audi models, which includes the S3 Sportback.

Following the sister category, premiums for the open segment, alias Category E, rose by a modest amount of $600, at the end of the session today. Premiums ended 0.77 percent higher - at $77,501 - and throughout the year have trailed behind Category B over the past 24 bidding sessions.