A common question surrounding car sales is, “how do I sell my car for the most money?” It’s a valid question if you’re looking for a vehicle upgrade. Typical answers would be to stay on top of maintenance and repairs, plus take care of your vehicle inside and out. However, your vehicle’s color also impacts resale value, which is something you can control before you buy your car. So, whether you are researching your next car to buy and want a great resale value or wondering how your current car’s color might rank, this list of top car colors with high resale values is for you. Let’s look at why car colors matter, some car colors to consider, and some to avoid if resale value is important to you.

Does Car Color Matter With Resale?

Before we can look at specific colors, we have to answer why this is important. Do people really consider a used car’s color before purchasing? The answer is definitely yes. If a car’s color is too “trendy” or “bold,” buyers may pass for something more neutral. Bold and bright colors tend to appeal to a smaller number of buyers, which could impact resale value. Additionally, car colors that were on trend this year may not be in 3-5 years when you’re ready to sell. This is why some vehicle colors lose their value quicker because there isn’t as much of a demand for those previously popular colors. So, if maintaining resale or vehicle trade-in value is an important factor in your vehicle purchase, here are the top car colors with high resale value. Then, let’s look at car colors with lower resale value and what to do about unique color vehicles.

Gray

Gray is one of the most popular vehicle colors across all vehicle segments. It’s predictable, timeless, and doesn’t cause more vehicle depreciation. According to Kelley Blue Book, gray is the most popular color for SUVs and falls in the top two for pickup trucks, minivans, and sedans. Another appeal to gray color vehicles is that they are easier to keep clean. Dirt doesn’t show up as boldly on gray cars either.

White

Despite white cars being slightly harder to keep clean, they still rank as a popular car color for resale value. White is a color that looks good on any type of vehicle, even luxury cars. Specifically, white is the most popular color for minivans, according to Kelley Blue Book. White cars are easy to see on the roads and are a solid choice for maintaining resale value.

Black

Black is another color you’ll see all across the vehicle segments. This color gives a sleek exterior design and will never go out of style. We see black as a very popular color for luxury vehicles. While it can hide dirt and dust, other debris like pollen tends to stand out on black cars. That shouldn’t stop you from considering a black color vehicle because studies show that this color doesn’t hurt vehicle resale value.

Silver

Similar to gray, silver is a top car color for resale value. It doesn't negatively impact a car’s resale value, which makes it a solid choice no matter what car you have. Kelley Blue Book ranks silver in the top 5 colors for most vehicle segments, so all around, it’s a popular choice. Additionally, it’s easy to keep it clean like gray cars, which boosts its appeal.

Blue

Moving on from the neutral colors, we have blue as a top color for resale value. Each car manufacturer has its own version of blue with a variety of shades from dark to light, but generally, they are all grouped together in the blue category. For people who like to add some color but keep it relatively simple, blue is a popular choice. A recent study showed that blue vehicles had a lower depreciation rate than other neutral color vehicles. So, blue is a safe color to choose if you are concerned about resale value.

Red

Last but not least is red. Red is another top color that comes in all types of shades and tints. You could have candy apple red, a dark cabernet red or anything in between. Generally, red tends to hold its value a little longer than black, white, and gray cars. Additionally, it’s an attractive color for sedans, SUVs, minivans, and pickup trucks. Car shoppers may seek out cars for sale in red because it adds personality without being too flashy.

Car Colors With Low Resale Value

With the top colors for resale in value in mind, are there car colors that intentionally lower a car’s resale value? Recent studies have found that to be true. For example, gold and brown cars were found to depreciate at a faster rate than other color vehicles. This could be for several reasons. First, car brands aren’t releasing cars in gold and brown these days, so they are more uncommon in the used car market. However, even though they are uncommon, there’s not a high demand for these colors from car buyers. So when you combine low demand with rarity, those colored cars just aren’t as valuable as other popular colors. According to Kelley Blue Book, some of the other least popular car colors are orange, beige, and green. These colors fell at the bottom of the list for each type of vehicle. They may not appeal to the large majority of buyers, so it’s important to consider if you are thinking about buying a vehicle in one of these colors and want to sell it one day.

Can Unique Colors Still Sell?

Now, if you’re currently sitting with a bright yellow car or have your heart set on a two-tone compact SUV, you might be asking yourself this question. Obviously, a vehicle can still sell just fine and not be a popular color, but it may be more difficult depending on the type of vehicle and how bold the color is. So if you want to showcase your personality or snag one of those special edition models in a jazzed color, go for it. In fact, a recent study showed that some of these bold colors tend to hold their value more than others because they are often found in rare or special edition vehicles. Therefore, since those vehicles are harder to find, they can hold their value longer despite the color. So if you own a brand new sports car convertible, a bright yellow exterior may not hurt your car’s depreciation. A bright yellow family SUV, however, may not keep a good resale value.

Sell Your Car With Ryan Honda of Minot

At Ryan Honda of Minot, we can help you buy your next vehicle and sell your current one. Our sales team will show you our full lineup of new Honda vehicles or our high-quality used inventory to find the best next vehicle for your budget and needs. Start your search for your next car or begin the process of selling your car on our website. We’ve seen all the vehicle colors and can help you find the right one for resale value and your personality! Contact us or stop by Ryan Honda of Minot today for your next vehicle!