Best Car Colors for Resale Value (and Colors to Wrap Instead)
Which car colors hold value best, why neutral and some bold colors do well, which colors narrow your buyer pool, and how wraps let you enjoy loud colors safely.
By Ayoub Farid · · 2 min read
If you plan to sell your car one day, the factory color matters. But the "safest" colors aren't always the ones you'd guess, and there's a way to enjoy a bold color without the resale risk.
What resale studies tend to show
Industry analyses of used-car prices have repeatedly found that:
- Common neutrals (white, black, grey, silver) are easy to sell because most buyers accept them, though their huge supply means they don't always hold value best.
- Some bold, low-volume colors such as yellow, orange and certain greens can hold value well on sports cars and small enthusiast cars, because supply is limited and buyers seek them out.
- Colors that are unusual for the car's segment (gold on a family sedan, for example) can take longer to sell.
The pattern depends on the car type. Exciting colors suit exciting cars.
Rules of thumb
| Car type | Safe choices | Bold choices that often work |
|---|---|---|
| Family car or SUV | White, grey, silver, black, dark blue | Deep green, dark red |
| Luxury sedan | Black, grey, white, dark blue | Deep green, burgundy |
| Sports car / hot hatch | Grey, white, blue | Yellow, orange, bright green, purple |
| Truck / off-roader | White, black, grey | Olive, sand, orange |
The wrap strategy
Want a loud color but worried about resale? Keep a sensible factory paint and wrap the car. You get the color you love, the paint underneath is protected, and you can remove the wrap before selling. See car wrap vs paint.
Colors to try without commitment
The best way to discover whether you'd really enjoy a bold color is to see it on your own car. Try a few in CarForge's Apply Color, from safe greys to statement greens and purples.
Frequently asked questions
What car color has the best resale value?
It depends on the car. Neutrals sell easily in every segment, while some bold colors like yellow and orange can hold value well on sports cars.
Do wrapped cars lose value?
Not usually, if the wrap is removed properly before sale and the original paint is in good condition.
Is white a good color for resale?
White is popular and easy to sell, though plentiful supply means it rarely commands a premium.
Should I respray my car before selling?
Usually not. A respray in a non-original color can raise questions; fix damage instead.
Try it on your own car
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