Car colour isn’t simply a matter of personal taste, it’s a silent value driver when it comes time to sell. Research shows some colours retain value significantly better than others, saving you thousands when you trade or sell your ride.
Surprisingly, yellow tops the charts for value retention. According to a massive study by iSeeCars, yellow cars lose only about 24% of their value after three years about a 7% better hold than the average vehicle. Orange and green come in next, dropping 24.4% and 26.3% respectively. These aren’t everyday choices, but their rarity means buyers compete when they pop up on the market.
On the flip side, the most common colours like white, black, and gold tend to depreciate more sharply: white and black cars lose about 32% and 31.9%, while gold vehicles drop a hefty 34.4%. Their popularity ironically works against resale because there’s ample supply driving prices down.
Neutral tones like silver and grey sit comfortably in the middle of the pack, providing broad appeal without standing out too much, good options for steady resale value.
Color preferences vary by vehicle class too. For instance, bright hues like orange do well on SUVs and sedans but barely register in minivan sales where choices are more conservative.
What does this mean for buyers? Pick a colour you love, but know that opting for something standout like yellow or orange could pay off by holding value better. For common colours, expect easier sales but potentially lower prices.
The resale value difference between colours can reach over $5,000 after just a few years, far from a trivial factor in your car buying decision. So when you pick your next set of wheels, colour's not all about the looks. It’s a financial move too.
