Grey remains the UK’s favourite car colour for the seventh consecutive year, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
With no signs of fading in popularity, grey accounted for a record 27.8% of all new car registrations in 2024, highlighting its continued dominance in the market.
Grey has once again been revealed as the top car
colour choice for Brit buyers. (Photo by Theo
Lonic on Unsplash
Grey cars lead the way
In 2024, 543,464 grey cars were registered in the UK, marking a 6.7% increase from the previous year and solidifying the colour’s status as the nation’s top choice.
Grey’s sleek, modern appeal, along with its perceived ability to hide dirt and scratches, may contribute to its ongoing success among British drivers.
Changing colour trends
While grey remained at the top, there were some notable shifts in the rankings. Black secured second place, while blue climbed to third – its first time in the top three since 2010.
This marked the first change in the top three colour rankings in seven years and the first time a non-monochrome colour has made it to the podium in that period.
Together, the top three colours – grey, black, and blue – accounted for 64.5% of all new cars registered in the UK in 2024.
White, previously in third place, dropped to fourth after a 7.2% decline in popularity, while red remained in fifth but recorded a 4.1% decrease, reaching its lowest market share since 2003.
The most popular UK car colour choices 2024
| Colour | Registrations | Market share % | Change vs 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grey | 543,464 | 27.8% | 6.7% |
| Black | 423,397 | 21.7% | 9.9% |
| Blue | 291,928 | 14.9% | 1.6% |
| White | 291,629 | 14.9% | -7.2% |
| Red | 136,371 | 7% | -4.1% |
| Silver | 122,473 | 6.3% | -1.6% |
| Green | 68,230 | 3.5% | 27.7% |
| Yellow | 11,944 | 0.6% | 0.5% |
| Orange | 10,754 | 0.6% | -35.5% |
| Bronze | 5,526 | 0.3% | 13% |
More choice, less diversity
Despite the dominance of neutral tones, British motorists still had a vast selection of colours to choose from, with a total of 93 shades available.
Among these, green and yellow saw growth in popularity, with green registrations increasing by 27.7% and yellow by 0.5%.
However, at the other end of the scale, some colours remained rare choices.
Pink, maroon, and turquoise together accounted for just 747 registrations, indicating that bold and vibrant hues continue to struggle for mainstream acceptance.
The rise of green cars
The growing interest in environmentally friendly vehicles has also influenced colour preferences. Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) made up nearly one in five new registrations last year, and green-coloured cars saw a surge in demand.
A total of 68,230 green cars were registered in 2024 – more than double the figure from 2022 and the highest number since 2004.
Despite this growth, grey remained the top choice among BEV buyers, with 95,463 grey electric cars joining UK roads in 2024.
Preferences depending on vehicle segment
Grey maintained its top position across most vehicle segments, including the best-selling categories: dual-purpose, supermini, and lower-medium cars.
Black was the preferred colour for executive (34.2%) and luxury saloon (42.1%) vehicles, while white remained the most popular choice for multi-purpose vehicles (25.7%).
Fleet and private buyers followed similar trends, with grey and black leading the choices.
However, businesses placed white in third place, whereas private buyers opted for blue.
A nationwide trend?
The preference for grey cars was consistent across all UK regions and counties. Black followed in second place in most areas, except for the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands, where white claimed the runner-up spot.
As trends evolve, it remains to be seen whether another colour can challenge grey’s reign, but for now, Britain’s love affair with neutral tones shows no signs of slowing down.
Should I buy a grey car?
Choosing a grey car comes with several advantages. Grey is widely regarded as a practical choice due to its ability to conceal dirt, minor scratches, and everyday wear.
It also tends to retain resale value well, as neutral colours are often more appealing to second-hand buyers.
Additionally, grey cars blend well with most car designs, making them a timeless option that suits both sporty and executive vehicles.
However, one downside is that grey cars may be less visible on the road in poor weather conditions compared to brighter colours, potentially affecting safety.
If personalisation is a key factor for you, you may also find that grey lacks the boldness and uniqueness of more vibrant hues.
Ultimately, whether or not you should buy a grey car depends on your priorities – practicality and resale value or individuality and visibility.
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Author: Pete Barden:
Twitter: @pete_barden
Pete Barden is a qualified journalist who has written and produced for publications including The Sun (thesun.co.uk), New Statesman Media Group, Whatcar? (Whatcar.com) Stuff Magazine (Stuff.tv), Fastcar Magazine (Fastcar.co.uk), Maxim Magazine and UK broadcast stations within the Heart network (Formerly GCAP). Pete specialises in motoring and travel content, along with news and production roles. You can find out more about Pete Barden on LinkedIn.
