How to Choose a Car Colour: Resale, Upkeep and Style

Choose a car colour you will be happy living with, then weigh up three practical points: how easily it shows dirt and scratches, how it might affect resale, and how visible it is on the road. Neutral shades such as white, grey, black and silver usually appeal to the most buyers, while bolder colours can be harder to sell but suit people who want something different.

Does car colour affect resale value?

It can. A colour that lots of buyers want is usually easier to sell. Neutral shades have broad appeal, while unusual colours appeal to fewer people, although the right buyer may still pay well for them. Condition, mileage and history matter far more than colour. Our guide to the UK's most popular car colours and what they mean for resale looks at this in more detail.

Which car colours are easiest to keep clean?

• Silver and mid grey are usually the most forgiving. They hide road dust and light scratches well.

• White hides dust reasonably well but shows road grime and tar spots.

• Black and dark blue look striking when clean but show swirl marks, scratches and water spots easily.

• Bright reds, yellows and oranges show dirt less than black but benefit from regular waxing to keep their shine.

Our car care pages have more on keeping paintwork in good condition.

What do different car colours suggest?

Colour choice is personal, and these are general associations rather than rules.

Black is often seen as smart and understated. It suits larger and executive cars but needs regular cleaning.

White has a clean, modern look and is a popular choice on many current models.

Silver is practical and low-maintenance, and has long been one of the most common colours on UK roads.

Blue ranges from pale shades that hide dirt well to dark blues that behave more like black.

Red stands out and is easy to spot in a car park, and it suits smaller and sportier cars.

Green has made a comeback in recent years, from dark racing greens to lighter, more modern shades.

Yellow and orange are bold and highly visible. They are less common, which some buyers like and others avoid.

Does colour make a car safer?

Brighter colours are generally easier to see, especially in poor light, but driving style, lights and safety equipment make a much bigger difference. Always drive with dipped headlights in poor visibility, whatever the colour.

Common questions

Does a dark car get hotter in summer?

Yes. Dark colours absorb more heat from the sun, so the cabin can warm up faster when the car is parked in direct sunlight.

Does car colour affect insurance?

Insurers generally base premiums on factors such as the car's make, model, value and your own details rather than its colour. If you change the colour, for example with a respray or wrap, tell your insurer and update the DVLA.

Should I avoid an unusual colour if I plan to sell soon?

If quick resale is your priority, a popular neutral colour is the safer choice. If you plan to keep the car for years, choose the colour you like.

Looking for a car in your favourite colour?

anycolourcar.com is based in Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Browse our cars in stock or call sales on 01226 574410.

Updated October 2026.