The latest figures showed that more than a quarter (25.7%) of UK buyers choose the colour in 2022 for their new car.
In fact, 415,199 grey cars were registered last year – an increase of 1.7%.
Grey was also the top selling colour in every region and every county in the UK, except for the Scottish Borders where blue came out on top. Grey took the second place spot.
The report revealed that 62.5% of new cars in Britain in 2022 were painted in grey, black, or white.
Meanwhile, silver posted just 98,483 units and a 6.1% market share in 2022.
It previously held first or second place in car buyers’ affections for 12 straight years from 2000 to 2011, meaning that last year was its lowest level in more than two decades.
Red ranked in fifth place ranking and recorded a decline to reach its lowest market share since 2008, at 136,793 units. This accounted for 8.5% of all cars registered.
The SMMT data also highlighted Britain’s least popular new car colours.
These include maroon, pink, and cream – which recorded less than 1% of all registrations last year.
When it comes to more niche colours, orange, yellow, bronze, turquoise and mauve, all posted growth, however, these colours only make up 3.4% of the market share and sold 55,401 units in 2022.
SMMT also revealed that there was a resurgence of the colour green – which reached its highest level of sales in more than 16 years.
In fact, sales rose by 74.2% when compared to 2021 – and increase of 13,293 units, meaning more than 31,220 new green cars our now on our roads.
SMMT Chief Executive, Mike Hawes, said: “Car colour choice theoretically proclaims something about who we are as drivers and buying a car today comes with many possibilities to customise your vehicle to match.
“After choosing from the market’s ever-growing choice of makes, models, powertrains, wheel trims and in-car tech, picking out the perfect paint is an exciting decision to make.
“While the most popular shades remained unchanged for 2022, for those looking to ensure their vehicle stands out from the crowd, there remains a huge variety of colour choices from across the rainbow available to suit every character.”
What is your favourite (and least favourite) colour for a new car? Is colour important to you when you are looking at getting your next vehicle? Leave your comments below.
Brilliant breakdown + serious savings
Breakdown cover from just £7.95 a month*. Plus up to £150 of driving savings!
