Index
Does colour really influence the sale price?
The most in-demand colours in the Spanish market
The colours that penalise the price the most
How much the price can differ depending on the colour
Colour and the time it takes to sell
What to do if you have a low-demand colour
Dealcar: receive offers regardless of your car’s colour
FAQs
Does colour really influence the sale price?
Yes, although its impact is smaller than mileage, age, or mechanical condition. Colour does not determine the intrinsic value of the car, but it does affect how many buyers are interested in it and, therefore, how long it takes to sell and the buyer's negotiating margin.
Before deciding on a price while taking colour into account, the first step is to know how much your car is worth in the current market with all its parameters.
The logic is simple: a car in a highly-demanded colour has more potential buyers competing for it, giving the seller more power to maintain the price. A car in a low-demand colour has fewer buyers, giving the buyer more power to negotiate the price down.
The price difference between the most in-demand colour and the least in-demand colour for the same model can range from 3% to 8% according to European market studies, although in extreme cases (very unusual or faded colours) it can exceed that margin.
The most in-demand colours in the Spanish market
The Spanish market follows the general European trend towards neutral and monochromatic tones. According to data from the second-hand sector in Spain, black, white, and grey/silver account for more than 80% of transactions, with black leading with 36.4% of the total, followed by white with 26.3% and grey with 21.2%. Blue and red stand at around 8% each.
Black. It is the colour with the highest demand and the one that best retains its value. It conveys elegance and is associated with high-end models regardless of the vehicle type. Its weak point is that it shows dirt easily, which makes buyers more demanding regarding the state of the paintwork.
White. Highly in demand, especially in SUVs and mid-range cars. It is the colour that visually ages the least and best hides minor scratches. In recent years, it has gained market share compared to black in the most popular models.
Grey and silver. They are the "safest" colours on the market: they have constant demand, do not generate rejection, and age well. Dark grey has gained prominence in recent years over classic silver.
Blue. It is the fourth most in-demand colour in Spain, with good acceptance especially in discreet tones (navy blue, dark blue). Bright or very striking blues have less demand than classic blues.
Red. It has a more specific market: some buyers actively look for it, but others rule it out on principle. Its demand is more volatile than that of neutrals.
The colours that penalise the price the most
The colours that make the sale most difficult and put the most downward pressure on the price are those that have a small universe of buyers:
Yellow, orange, and green. These are the colours with the lowest demand in the general market. They have specific buyers (enthusiasts, sports car buyers), but the pool is very small. Furthermore, in sunny climates like Spain's, these colours can fade more quickly over the years.
Brown and beige. They were popular in previous decades but have steadily lost demand. They are associated with older cars and create a perception of being outdated, which makes selling difficult.
Two-tone or factory-customised colours. Some very specific colour configurations (different coloured roof combinations, high-end matte colours) can be an asset if the buyer values them, but they can also be a deterrent if the buyer prefers something more standard.
Faded or oxidised paint. It is not a colour in itself, but the condition of the paintwork penalises the price as much as or more than the colour. Oxidised paint, with scuff marks or visible repairs, significantly reduces the price regardless of the original colour.
The condition of the paintwork carries as much weight as the colour. The article on how to prepare your car for selling covers what you can do to improve the presentation before listing it.
How much the price can differ depending on the colour
Data from the European second-hand market points to price differences between colours of between 3% and 8% for the same model and year. In concrete figures, for a car with a reference value of 10,000 euros:
Colour | Indicative impact on price |
|---|---|
Black, white | Reference price or slightly above |
Grey, silver | In line with the reference price |
Navy blue, dark blue | In line or slightly below (-2%) |
Red | Slightly below (-3% to -5%) |
Yellow, orange, green | Below (-5% to -10%) |
Brown, beige | Below (-5% to -8%) |
These figures are indicative and vary depending on the model: in sports cars, yellow or orange can be a price asset; in city cars, they are almost always a penalty.
Colour and the time it takes to sell
The impact of colour is not only on price, but also on selling time. A well-advertised black or white car with an adjusted price can receive inquiries in the first few days. A car in an unusual colour can take weeks or months to find the right buyer, even with the correct price.
This time factor has a real cost: each month the car is listed without being sold is a month paying for insurance, road tax, or parking, in addition to the emotional wear and tear of managing an ongoing process.
If you have a car in a low-demand colour and need to sell it quickly, professional buyers are more flexible with the colour than private individuals, because they can target the car to a specific market or for export.
If you have a car in a low-demand colour and need to sell it quickly, receiving multiple offers from professional buyers immediately expands the pool of potential buyers.
What to do if you have a low-demand colour
Adjust the price from the start. Don't wait weeks to lower the price. If your car is yellow, orange, or brown, put it in the lower range of the model’s reference price from day one. A competitive price often compensates for the colour.
If the colour is a factor that limits demand, adjusting the price properly from the start is key. The article on when and by how much to lower the ad price explains how to do it without selling yourself short.
Photos with good lighting that flatter the colour. Some unusual colours look good in the right light. Photographing the car in direct natural light can greatly change the perception of the colour in the ad.
The photos and description of the advert are the buyer's first filter. The article on what to say when selling your car explains how to present the car to attract serious leads.
Highlight other selling points in the ad. If the colour is a weakness, the maintenance history, low mileage, a recently passed MOT, or the equipment are selling points that can compensate for the lower demand for the colour.
Expand the geographical scope. A colour that is in low demand locally might have more buyers in other areas. Publishing on all available portals and not limiting yourself to the local area broadens the pool of potential buyers.
Consider selling to a professional. Professional buyers are less sensitive to colour than private individuals. Platforms that connect you with multiple buyers, such as Dealcar, allow the car to reach buyers with different destination markets, which can partly neutralise the impact of the colour.
Dealcar: receive offers regardless of your car’s colour
With Dealcar, your car reaches more than 1,000 verified professional dealerships across Spain. Professional buyers value the vehicle as a whole, not just the colour: a car in good condition, well-maintained, and at a reasonable price will find buyers even if the colour is not the most popular.
100% free for you. No commissions or hidden costs.
You get paid before handing over the keys. Bank transfer before the car changes hands.
They collect the car from your home. No travel required.
No paperwork. The buyer handles the transfer, DGT, and all the paperwork.
On average, 1,400 euros more than selling on Wallapop.
More than 12,000 cars sold and an average rating of 4.9 out of 5.
Use Dealcar's free valuation tool.
FAQs
Does colour influence car insurance price?
No. Insurers in Spain do not take the vehicle's colour into account when calculating the premium. The price of insurance depends on the model, power, driver's history, and area of residence, among other factors.
Which car colour retains its value best?
Black, white, and grey are the colours with the highest demand in the Spanish market and, therefore, those that best retain value in terms of resale price. Black leads with 36.4% of second-hand transactions.
Can I ask for the same price as an identical car in grey if mine is yellow?
Technically yes, but in practice the pool of buyers is smaller for yellow, and the buyer will have more room to negotiate. If you need to sell quickly, it is advisable to adjust the price from the start to compensate for the lower demand for the colour.
Is it worth repainting the car before selling?
Almost never. The cost of a professional respray (starting from €500-€800 for a full car) is rarely recovered in the sale price. Where it might make sense is repairing pinpoint scratches or areas with visible rust, which penalise the price more than the colour itself.
Do professional buyers take colour into account?
Less so than private individuals. Dealerships and direct purchase platforms value the vehicle as a whole and have varied destination markets. A car in an unusual colour can find a professional buyer much more easily than a private one.
