Should I buy a white car?
September 16, 2022 by carwow staff
Should your next car be white? We can help you decide
One of the more significant things to decide when choosing a new car is what colour to have it in. Car makers tend to offer fewer choices these days than they once did, but white tends to be among the standard offerings with most mainstream models.
But while some people may want to order a new white car, or buy a second-hand one in this colour, there are a few things to consider before taking the plunge.
White cars: The pros
Many cars look great in white
It goes without saying, but new cars tend to look pretty good in white. After all, why would car makers offer a colour that makes their models look ugly? But white does suit many cars from across the automotive spectrum, from little superminis and family hatchbacks to big SUVs and high-performance sports cars.
Picking white can improve your car’s resale value
On top of making your car look good, white is also an inoffensive colour that has broad appeal – especially with used car buyers. Therefore, if you want to maximise the value of your car when you decide to sell it or trade it in, it may be worth picking white over a more outlandish and vibrant shade.
White paint can make your car cool
As you may remember from your science lessons at school, white surfaces are great heat and light reflectors. This means white cars don’t absorb as much energy from sunlight as cars painted in darker colours do, which by extension means the interior won’t be as hot if the car spends a long time out in the open on a hot summer day.
As you may remember from your science lessons at school, white surfaces are great heat and light reflectors. This means white cars don’t absorb as much energy from sunlight as cars painted in darker colours do, which by extension means the interior won’t be as hot if the car spends a long time out in the open on a hot summer day.
Take a look at the Audi TT RS review and see how its white paint shows off the car’s angles.
Sometimes, it’s free
Depending on the car you’re looking at, white paint can be a no-cost option, which is pretty handy if that’s the colour you’ve set your sights on. However, as we’ll explain in the cons, that isn’t always the case.
It can show off a car’s lines
With the colour white reflecting more light than any other hue, white paint can really make the most of a car’s design, revealing styling cues such as creases and curves that are often masked by darker colours.
It’s an evergreen colour
White is the most popular car colour in the world, and has been since 2011, so while some colours may come and go in fashion, white is likely to be enduringly popular.
It could make you easier to spot
Being in a brightly coloured car may make it easier for other drivers to spot you, potentially reducing your risk of an accident, with some studies indicating white cars are 12% less likely to be involved in a collision.
It can hide imperfections well
While serious dings and dents should always be fixed promptly, for everyday nicks and scratches, or even swirls caused by less-than-careful washing, white may be your friend, as it tends not to show up marks as much as other colours.
White cars: the cons
It’s a really common colour
You’re not alone if you think white is a great colour for your car – 17.2% of all new cars sold in the UK in 2021 were painted in a shade of white. As a result, while it’s clearly a popular colour, white may not be for you if you’re after a hue that will help your car stand out in a crowded supermarket car park.
White cars can be a pain to keep clean
Another downside with picking white is that it will be clear for everyone to see when you haven’t given your car a wash in a while. Neglect to keep the car clean, and the white paint will quickly be covered up in a layer of dirt and grime – though that does at least mean it’s easier to see which bits you need to go over again after the first scrub down.
You often need to pay extra for it
Depending on the car you’re looking at, more often than not you’ll need to pay extra to have your car painted white. This will especially be the case if you go for the snazzy, premium finish of a metallic, a pearlescent or a multi-coat paint job.
It can be very model specific
Some cars wear white really well. While such things are clearly a matter of personal taste, a Range Rover finished in white can look really good, while a white affordable estate can look a little…too affordable.
Some white paints aren’t as nice as others
There can be huge variations between different white paints. Metallic or pearlescent white can really cut a dash, while a creamy white can also look great; but a flat white can make a car look like it was ordered by a rental firm with saving money being a key priority.
You might be mistaken for a police car
Police cars tend to be grey or black these days, but there remains a perception that a white car might be a police car; this may put some buyers off if you’re selling a white car second-hand.
Should I pick white paint for my car?
On balance, white is a good colour that’s worth considering on your new car. It’s highly likely it will suit your car to a tee, and in many cases it will also make your car more appealing to used car buyers if you decide to sell it.
However, as we’ve explained, picking white paint will also have its downsides. Plus, at the end of the day, it’s up to you to decide what colour your car should be – if you reckon black, red, blue or even lime green is a more suitable shade for your next new car then, by all means, go for that colour over white.
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