Nearly 60% of motorists are driving cars in colours they don’t like according to a recent survey by Manheim Auctions.

Black was clearly the preferred colour with 31% of men and 30% of women respondents claiming it to be their favourite colour, but interestingly only 14% of men and 12% of women actually drove a black car.

The second favourite colour, silver was driven by 25% of men and 24% of women while in third place men preferred blue with women opting for red.

The survey also revealed that even though black was the favourite colour throughout Great Britain, silver cars dominated on the roads except in East Anglia, the South West and Yorkshire & Humberside where there were more blue cars on the road than any other colour.

Although there is an ever increasing number of white cars on the road today, only 6% of respondents favoured the colour with just 4% actually driving one.

Favourite car colours: Male drivers - Female drivers

Black – 31% Black – 30%
Silver – 17% Silver – 17%
Blue – 16% Red – 15%

Actual colours of cars driven: Male drivers - Female drivers

Silver – 25% Silver – 24%
Blue – 21% Blue - 24%
Black – 14% Black – 12%

“Colours are an important factor when cars come to auction," said Craig Mailey, marketing director, Manheim Auctions.

"Certain colours such as black, silver and blue, especially metallic, can add value to a vehicle.

"Non-standard, or vivid colours may seem like a good idea at the time but second-hand values may suffer as these are not favoured by used car dealers because the pool of buyers likely to be interested in these colours is that much smaller.”

The survey was conducted by One Poll in August 2011 with 3,000 respondents.
 

More articles on: