The UK’s favourite car colour for 2023 – revealed!

The car colour favoured most by UK drivers in 2023 has been revealed - it's grey again! 

Grey has been the most popular choice for new cars among motorists now for a sixth consecutive year, as published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). 

Black is still the second most popular colour, with White in third place. The top five is completed by Blue in fourth, and Red in fifth. In fact, there has been no change in the top five's order for six years in a row! 

Silver - which was one-time untouchable as the UK's no.1 - hasn't featured in the top five since a fifth-place finish back in 2017.

Cementing the UK car buyers' penchant for monochrome motors, Grey, Black and White cars accounted for almost two thirds (63.3%) of new car registrations last year. 

Over a quarter of all new cars sold were Grey (26.8% of the market share), with Black (20.2%) and White (16.5%) dominating their more colourful competitors.

SMMT Chief Executive, Mike Hawes, gave his thoughts: “2023 was a bumper year for the British new car market, as buyers continued to gravitate towards familiar monochrome hues for another year - even as ever more motorists embrace new technologies. 

“Car manufacturers have diligently expanded their offerings, with a huge selection of colour options available across hundreds of models and thousands of specification options. The extensive variety allows drivers flexibility in choosing a tint that embodies their individuality and style.”

The Kia Sportage was the overall fourth-best selling car of the year. Unsurprisingly, the most popular colour was grey among the 36,135 Sportages registered in 2023. 

The Sportage is available in two shades of grey: Dark Penta Metal - a more traditional darker tint, and Yuka Steel Grey - which has a hint of blue but is definitely still grey!

Orange finished as the eighth most popular colour, with sales boosted largely thanks to the popularity of the MG4 EV. 

The MG4 sold over 20,000 units in 2023 and was the best-selling Orange car of the year. The Trophy Long Range, Extended Range and XPOWER versions of the award-winning electric hatchback are available in the stunning Volcano Orange shade. 

Recently named as 'Best Small Electric Car' for the second year running, the MG4 EV combines practicality, affordability, a high level of tech and excellent value for money. 

Will we see an end to the grey colour trend in 2024? The SMMT stats suggest that grey cars are now more popular than ever, but maybe could finally see a change in that top five with the rise in popularity of green cars last year. 

Green cars reached their highest volume of sales in 18 years, whereas Red recorded its lowest market share since 2005, and has seen its popularity decline steadily since 2019. 

Whether you're looking to blend in, or you're one who has to stand apart from the crowd, Chapelhouse is sure to have a car in your favourite colour. Our range of New Kia, MG and Suzuki, and quality Used vehicles have a wide variety of popular car colours that are sure to suit all tastes.