BCA data reveals car colour trends
New research from BCA has revealed how the most popular colours for used cars have changed in the last five years.
The analysis of vehicles sold by BCA during 2016 shows black topping the colour chart, accounting for 26% of the total sold and overtaking silver which was the most popular colour for a used car five years ago.
Silver slips from first to second, accounting for 18% of vehicles sold by BCA in 2016, with grey in joint third place with blue, each representing 14% of used cars sold.
White cars have seen the biggest percentage move. Five years ago, white accounted for just three per cent of used cars sold by BCA; in 2016 that has jumped to 13.5% of the total, making it the biggest trend shift.
Red cars represent 8.5% of used cars in 2016, a similar percentage to five years ago. Green appears to be less populous, however, falling from three per cent five years ago to around one per cent in 2016. Other colours appearing in relatively low volumes include brown, beige and orange with less than one per cent.
In terms of value, white cars average the highest figure at £9,811, largely as a result of being sold at the lowest average age and mileage combination of 43 months and 43,000 miles. In comparison, black cars average £8,122 when sold, although the mileage and age are significantly higher at 62 months and 58,000 miles.
BCA’s head of PR Tim Naylor said, ‘At BCA we see a good mix of colours across the range of cars being offered, but the critical factor is for the colour to match the car.’
He added, ‘While there is always a place for quirky and unusual colour schemes, by and large used car buyers are fairly traditional in their tastes.’
