When shopping for a new or used car, an important factor to consider is which colors tend to hold their value the best over time. The color of a car can impact its resale value years later. Certain colors tend to maintain their value better than others when it’s time to sell the car or trade it in. Understanding which car colors have the best resale value can help buyers make a more informed decision.
Which Colors Best Maintain Value?
According to automotive experts, the car colors that tend to hold their value the best are neutral, traditional colors such as black, white, gray, and silver. These tend to be the most popular car colors purchased by consumers year after year. Neutral colored cars have a broader appeal at resale time than brighter, bolder colors that tend to fade in and out of popularity. Here’s an overview of how some of the most common car colors stack up for resale value:
- White: One of the most popular car colors purchased by new car buyers, white has a clean, crisp look that holds broad appeal at trade-in time. White cars can show wear and dirt more easily, but overall maintain value well.
- Black: Also perennially popular with new car shoppers, black cars hold their value very well. The color black always looks sleek and luxurious. One downside is that scratches and swirl marks can be more visible on black paint.
- Gray: In recent years, gray has become one of the most commonly purchased new car colors. It has a modern, sophisticated look that holds appeal on the used market. Light shades like silver and pearl gray tend to retain value very well.
- Silver: A metallic shade with a clean, high-tech look, silver is among the better colors for resale value. It helps conceal minor scuffs and flaws in the paint better than some colors.
- Blue: Conservative shades of blue like navy and royal blue tend to hold their value better than bright, flashy blues. Overall, blue ranks high for maintaining its resale value.
- Red: A popular color for sports cars and other vehicles, red does not hold its value quite as well as more neutral colors. But traditional shades of red tend to fare better than unique purplish-reds.
Bolder, brighter colors usually don’t hold their value as well over time. Vivid shades like lime green, bright yellow, orange, purple and others can fade quickly in and out of fashion. After a few years, these colors are less desirable on the used car market.
Factors That Impact Resale Value
A car’s color is just one factor that contributes to its overall resale value. Mileage, mechanical condition, accident history and original MSRP also play key roles. But all else being equal, color can make a difference. Here are some other factors that impact how well a car holds its value:
- Brand/Model Reputation: Luxury brands like Lexus, Porsche, Mercedes and others have models known to retain value exceptionally well. Mainstream brands like Toyota and Honda also tend to maintain value better than competitors.
- Reliability History: Models with a reputation for bulletproof reliability and low maintenance costs will typically have higher trade-in and resale values.
- Fuel Efficiency: With gas prices continually fluctuating, fuel-efficient vehicles tend to hold their value better.
- Optional Equipment: Certain upgrades like advanced safety features, technology packages, performance enhancements and others can improve resale value.
- Mileage: Lower mileage translates to higher value. Every mile driven reduces the car’s value compared to its original MSRP.
- Condition/Accidents: A car in pristine condition with no accident history will command far higher resale value than those with damage, flaws or required repairs.
A car’s color alone will not determine its resale value several years down the road. But when considering all the factors that affect trade-in value, the exterior color should be one element to weigh when selecting a new or used car.
Which Brands and Models Hold Value Best?
While color trends can shift, there are some vehicle brands and models known for retaining their value exceptionally well year after year. Here are some top new and used cars that tend to maintain their value the best over time:
| Brand | Model |
|---|---|
| Toyota | Tacoma, Tundra, 4Runner |
| Honda | CR-V, Pilot, Civic, Accord |
| Subaru | Outback, Forester |
| GMC | Sierra, Yukon |
| Ford | F-150, Mustang |
| Jeep | Wrangler, Grand Cherokee |
| Toyota | RAV4, Prius |
| Nissan | Frontier |
| Lexus | GX, LX, ES |
| Porsche | 911, Macan, Cayenne |
Trucks, SUVs, sports cars and luxury vehicles tend to have the highest resale values across brands. This reflects their capability, durability, desirability and reputation for reliability.
How Color Affects Resale Value Percentage
Analyzing historical car sale data shows definite trends in how well certain colors retain their original value over time. Here is an overview of how some of the most popular car colors tend to hold their value after 5 years of ownership, on average:
| Color | Resale Value After 5 Years |
|---|---|
| White | 61.1% |
| Silver | 59.3% |
| Gray | 57.7% |
| Black | 56.8% |
| Red | 49.5% |
| Blue | 51.2% |
| Green | 38.3% |
| Orange | 32.1% |
| Yellow | 37.6% |
| Purple | 35.4% |
These resale value percentages are based on averaging data across all vehicle segments and classes. As shown, traditional white, silver, gray and black vehicles retain over half their value after 5 years on average. Meanwhile, loud colors like orange, yellow and purple have the lowest resale values.
Which Color is Best for Resale Value?
Based on historical resale data, the color that seems to hold its value the best across all vehicle types is white. There are a few reasons for this:
- White is perennially one of the most popular car colors bought by consumers year after year. It has mass appeal.
- White gives a car a clean, modern look that ages well over time.
- White is associated with luxury vehicles, enhancing resale image.
- Dirt and wear don’t stand out as easily on white paint as some other colors.
Following white, neutral shades like silver, gray and black also hold their value very well. While flashier colors may be fun, white is the safest bet for maintaining the highest trade-in or resale value down the road.
How To Choose the Best Color for Resale Value
Most car buyers don’t keep their vehicle for more than 5-6 years before trading it in or selling. For those who do want to maximize resale value, keep these tips in mind when selecting an exterior color:
- Stick to common neutral tones like white, silver, gray and black that appeal to the widest range of buyers.
- Avoid bold, loud colors that can fall out of favor with buyers.
- Research the resale value history of the specific make and model you’re considering.
- Check current resale value price guides to compare color trends.
- Pick a conservative color if you don’t plan on keeping the car more than 3-5 years.
- Consider your own personal preference as well – a color you love can help justify keeping a car longer.
While white may be the ideal choice for maximizing resale value down the road, the other most important factors are the overall brand, model reliability and mechanical condition. Following market color trends can provide a modest resale value advantage, but finding a desirable, well-built vehicle should take priority over color alone.
Conclusion
When shopping for a new or used car with an eye on future resale value, keeping color in mind can be beneficial. Historical sales data shows that mainstream neutral colors tend to hold their value better across vehicle segments and classes. White is generally the best for maintaining the highest resale percentage years later, followed by other common tones like black, gray and silver. While personal color preference is still an important consideration, sticking to proven high-value shades can potentially boost your trade-in value down the road.
