Grey was the most common paint colour for new cars registered in the UK for the seventh year in a row in 2024.
According to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), 27.8% of new cars registered last year were grey – the colour’s biggest ever market share.
Black was the second most-specced colour, with 21.7% of the market, while blue was third with 14.9% – the first time blue has appeared in the top three since 2010.
White dropped to fourth with 14.9%, seeing a 7.2% fall in volume since 2023, while red remained fifth with a 7% market share despite a 4.1% volume drop.
Completing the top ten were silver (6.3% market share), green (3.5% market share, but with volume up 27.7%), yellow (0.6% market share), orange (0.6% market share with volume down by 35.5%), and bronze (0.3% market share).
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: “While 2024 saw more new car buyers go green, with a record number of EVs reaching the road, the ‘face’ of the market remains familiar, with grey and black proving perennially popular.
“While manufacturers strive to ensure every driver can have their pick of a vast choice of paint colours and personalisation options to suit their individual tastes, it seems UK car buyers’ preferences remain steadfastly monochrome.”
