In a continuing trend that has become almost predictable, grey has once again secured its position as the most favoured car colour in the UK for the seventh year running. According to the latest data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), grey not only maintained its top spot but did so with an unprecedented market share, capturing 27.8% of all new car registrations in 2024. This translates to an impressive 543,464 grey cars hitting the British roads, marking a 6.7% increase from the previous year.
This year, however, brought a slight shift in the monochrome dominance with blue making a significant leap to the third position on the colour podium for the first time since 2010. This change marks a refreshing variation in the top three, introducing the first non-monochromatic colour to the top ranks in seven years. Blue’s resurgence, alongside grey and black, which held onto second place with 21.7% of the market, showcases a growing diversity in consumer taste amidst the traditional preference for subdued tones.
Interestingly, while grey, black, and blue together represented 64.5% of all new cars registered in 2024, the landscape wasn’t entirely monochrome. Green made a notable comeback, achieving its highest volume since 2004, with a 27.7% increase in registrations. This revival could be linked to the growing environmental consciousness and the increasing popularity of electric vehicles (EVs), although ‘green’ cars still represent a small fraction of the total market.
The preference for grey across various vehicle segments, including dual-purpose, supermini, and lower medium cars, remains strong. However, there are exceptions where black and white still hold sway, particularly in executive cars, luxury saloons, and the multi-purpose vehicle segment, respectively. This segmentation suggests that while grey is universally popular, specific car types might cater to different aesthetic preferences.
Regionally, the UK’s love for grey seems uniform, with the hue being the top choice across all regions and counties. However, there are minor deviations, such as in the Isle of Man and Channel Islands, where white is the second most popular colour instead of black, which is more commonly second across the UK.
Despite the vast array of colours available – 93 different shades of brand-new cars were registered in 2024 – the British public’s affinity for grey shows no sign of waning. This might reflect a broader societal trend towards safety, practicality, or perhaps a subtle resistance to standing out. However, the rise of blue and green in the rankings might hint at a gradual shift towards more vibrant choices, possibly influenced by the diversification of models and the desire for personalization among car buyers.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, commented on this persistent trend, noting, “While manufacturers strive to offer a broad palette of paint options to cater to individual tastes, it seems UK car buyers’ preferences remain steadfastly monochrome.” Yet, with the environmental shift and a record number of EVs hitting the roads, there might be an underlying narrative of change in the making.
In conclusion, while grey remains the comfort zone for UK car buyers, the subtle shifts in colour preferences, particularly with blue and green, suggest a market that might be slowly embracing a splash of colour. Whether this is a fleeting trend or the beginning of a new era in car colour choices remains to be seen, but for now, grey continues to rule the roads of Britain with an iron grip.b