It’s Official: Most People Buy Cars In Stupidly Boring Colours

Variety - they say - is the spice of life. But try telling that to buyers of new cars in the UK. According to data released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) for UK car registrations in 2015, white remained the most popular colour choice for the third year running, this time with a 21.4 per cent market share and an increase of 2.2 per cent compared to 2014.

To make matters worse, the next most popular colours were just as boring - black is in at number two with a 19.4 per cent share, and grey placed third with 15.6 per cent. Combine the lot, and you get 56.4 per cent. Chuck in silver, another dull choice, and you get 67.6 per cent. So, this means the majority of new car buyers go for really boring colours.

The reason is unclear. Perhaps it’s a lack of imagination, something to do with the fact more interesting shades are paid options or maybe it’s concerns about resale value, but whatever the cause it’s frustrating. Particularly when paint technology is so good these days, giving you a wide range of weird and wonderful colours and finishes to choose from.

It’s not all bad news, though. More interesting colours are continuing to rise in popularity. Orange - for instance - only made up 0.7 per cent of cars registered last year, but it’s experienced a 25.7 per cent increase in popularity.

Hopefully this trend will continue, and break up the sea of white, black and grey…