Top 10 most popular car colours in the UK

Gareth Herincx

3 days ago
Auto News

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Grey is the UK’s favourite new car colour for the sixth year running, according to figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Boasting a market share of more than a quarter (26.8%), more than half a million (509,194) grey cars were registered in 2023 as the new car market enjoyed its best year since the pandemic.

Completing the podium, black and white held second and third place, also for the sixth consecutive year, which means almost two thirds (63.5%) of all new cars joining UK roads in 2023 were decked in monochrome.

Drivers determined to stamp their style on their motor were able to choose from a variety of colour variations, with maroon, pink and cream remaining at the niche end of the colour palette – comprising just 604 registrations combined.

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Green, however, experienced a comeback, reaching its highest volume since 2005 at 53,426 units and a market share of 2.8%, the highest since 2004.

SMMT Chief Executive, Mike Hawes, said: “2023 was a bumper year for the British new car market, as buyers continued to gravitate towards familiar monochrome hues for another year – even as ever more motorists embrace new technologies.

“Car manufacturers have diligently expanded their offerings, with a huge selection of colour options available across hundreds of models and thousands of specification options. The extensive variety allows drivers flexibility in choosing a tint that embodies their individuality and style.”

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Top 10 most popular car colours

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Grey is the UK’s favourite new car colour for fourth consecutive year, followed by black and white, to complete the monochrome set.

According to new figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), grey accounted for 24.8% (up 2.8%) of new car registrations in 2021 – a total of 408,155 cars.

Black, the most popular car paint in Britain from 2009 to 2012, wrapped 20.5% of passenger cars, while white was in third place (17.2%), meaning UK drivers were most likely to choose a monochrome car for the 11th year running.

White was the most popular shade for mini-sized and sports cars, while larger dual purpose, luxury saloons and executive cars were, as usual, most likely to be black.

At the niche end of the colour palette, gold, yellow and turquoise were the fastest growing colours, with gold more than tripling its appeal (up 231.8%), yellow up by a third (31.3%) and turquoise up by a fifth (19.2%), although together they accounted for less than one percent of the market (0.9%).

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