COLOUR is an important factor for used car values and can affect the price achieved by several hundred pounds.

The range of finishes and colours has expanded dramatically over the years as technology from paint manufacturers has improved.

Roger Woodward, managing director of car remarketing specialist Cars Direct, said: 'Flat colours such as dark blue, or as the trade call it 'doom' blue, red or white are probably the worst. However, we can mitigate this impact by having the cars well-valeted and presented, but they still struggle to match the price of more attractive colours.

'Metallic colours are by far the best in returning good prices for secondhand cars. But there is a problem here. So many cars are now finished in silver that there is a danger that it will become the new dark blue.

'Presentation is still important in order to return best value for money to the fleet operator.'

Woodward said modern finishing techniques and good old-fashioned valeting can make all the difference.

In terms of the worst condition in which a car has been delivered to Cars Direct, Woodward said: 'It was a delivery mileage Mondeo that had been sitting in a garage awaiting the new owner who never turned up. The car had three years of dirt and grime and had to be resprayed before it could be retailed.'