Does car colour affect resale value?

This handy guide will help you understand how car colour affects its resale value, so you can make a more informed choice that won’t cost you later.

One of the big decisions to make when buying a car is the colour. You may be wondering if car colour affects resale value, and whether changing a car’s colour can make it more or less attractive to future buyers. We’ll help you answer these questions and will give you some guidance as to the best colours to choose.

Did you know you can sell your car through Carwow? We’re here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.

Which car colours have the best resale value?

The trouble with fashion is that it’s always changing. A popular shade now may not be as attractive in five or 10 years’ time.

That said, the same colours have been popular with new and used buyers for several years: grey, black, and blue. Grey in particular is a safe bet, with close to three-in-ten new car buyers choosing a grey car. A colour that appeals to lots of people will help you to sell a car quickly in a few years.

The opposite could also be true. Pick a colour that’s out of fashion or just a bit out there, and future buyers could be put off. Take purple as an example. This colour has almost disappeared among new cars, so it makes a brave choice. When the time comes to sell the car, this unfashionable shade could put buyers off.

So, we’d advise sticking to a common colour. You want to avoid love-hate shades that will make potential buyers think twice.

There can be exceptions to this rule. Eye-catching, in-your-face cars can suit more dramatic colours. So, a car with extroverted appeal can get away with a more extroverted colour.

Which car colours have poor resale value?

We’ve mentioned purple as a colour you don’t see much anymore. Bronze also seems to have gone out of fashion.

Bright colours – especially shades that some would see as gaudy – don’t tend to sell as well as more sober greys, blacks and blues. So, these more divisive colours such as pink and orange tend to have worse resale values than more restrained shades.

The difference isn’t necessarily huge. Sometimes a bad colour choice means it will take a little longer for a car to find a buyer, rather than slashing a big sum from the vehicle’s resale value.

If you really love a colour, the chances are you’re not alone. But if your taste is a little more eccentric, there won’t be so many people who love the car’s colour as much as you do.

Does changing car colour affect value?

Yes, it can do. As a rule, it’s better to stick with the car’s original colour to maximise its resale value.

Used car buyers can be a suspicious bunch, so any change or modification may put them off. If the car needs a respray using the same shade avoids this problem. Most buyers prefer originality.

If you really hate the colour of the car, you may be willing to take a financial hit when selling it on to have the colour you want. We’re not saying never change the car’s colour, but it’s unlikely to help a car’s resale value.

The possible exception to this rule is if the car has paintwork in a really unpopular shade in poor condition, and you are thinking of respraying in a more popular colour.

But really, the best thing is to buy a car in a colour you like in the first place. Then the question of whether changing a car’s colour affects its value doesn’t arise.

How to choose a car colour

There are many factors to consider when choosing a car’s colour. Here’s what to think about:

• You should like it: Yes, it makes sense to think about future owners and whether enough of them will like the colour you choose. But that day is years away. In the meantime, you’ll be looking out of your window and seeing the car every day. You want to be happy when you see the car outside, and the colour is a part of that. It’s your car, so pick a colour you like.
• Choose a popular colour: The smart move is to pick a colour that won’t put off future buyers. Greys, blacks, blues and whites tend to sell well. Ideally, you are looking for a colour that appeals to you and plenty of others.
• Pick a shade that hides the dirt: This one applies if you want the car to look good but struggle to find the time for regular cleaning. Colours such as silver and beige tend to hide dirt well. Black can be very hard to keep looking good, but future resale values are more important than whether a car colour is hard to keep clean.
• Think about price: If you’re shopping for a new car, it’s likely that a very small number of colours will be included in the price. These may be solid rather than metallic and can look dull. A metallic or pearlescent paint finish looks more appealing than a solid paint and is usually worth paying extra for. But think carefully before spending big money on premium paint finishes which cost thousands more than regular paint. It’s very unlikely you will see a good return on the price when you eventually sell the car on.

Car colour FAQs

Here are answers to some of the common questions you may have about car colour and whether it affects resale values:

What colour car is the hardest to sell?

As a rule, pink is quite unpopular and hard to sell. In general, the brighter and more unusual a car colour, the harder it can be to sell the car on. Yellow, orange, purple and some greens are unpopular. To some extent, this will vary from car to car, as different shades suit different models.

What colour makes a car look expensive?

Colours that are associated with taste, luxury and understatement tend to make a car look expensive. So, think black, pearlescent white, or metallic grey.

What is the most unpopular car colour in the UK?

The least popular colours among new car buyers are cream, maroon, and pink. Steer clear of these to avoid putting off buyers in the future.

Car change? Carwow!

Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.

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