While new car buyers in Britain may have embraced sweeping changes in powertrain technology over recent decades, when it comes to colour choice, preferences remain strikingly conservative.
Data published this week by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) shows grey was Britain’s most popular new car colour for the eighth consecutive year in 2025. More than a quarter of the 2.02 million new cars registered were finished in some shade of grey, ranging from graphite and stone to meteor tones. In contrast, bolder colours remain rare, with fewer than 100 turquoise or pink cars registered during the year.
Monochrome finishes continue to dominate the market. Black was the second most popular colour overall, while silver returned to the top five for the first time in a decade, displacing red, which fell to sixth place after years of prominence.
Green recorded the strongest growth of any colour, increasing by 46.3% year on year to account for almost 100,000 new registrations. The rise reflects the changing composition of the UK car parc, as electrified models continue to expand rapidly. More than 160 different electric vehicle models were available to UK buyers last year, underlining the pace at which manufacturers are responding to shifting consumer demand.
Beyond colour, the SMMT said manufacturers are increasingly tailoring their offerings to meet buyer expectations, with greater choice across model ranges, specifications, design features and in-car technology playing a central role in purchasing decisions.
The organisation also highlighted the importance of international trade to the UK automotive sector. The domestic market remains open and highly competitive, with vehicles sourced from manufacturers around the world, alongside exports from Britain’s own globally recognised brands. Europe remains the UK’s largest export destination for domestically built cars and the biggest source of imported vehicles and EVs.
Against this backdrop, the SMMT has stepped up its engagement with European policymakers. The industry body visited Brussels this week to meet key stakeholders and host discussions with EU government representatives from vehicle manufacturers and suppliers. Talks focused on upcoming regulatory developments, including stricter rules of origin for electrified vehicles due to take effect from next year and the European Union’s emerging “made in Europe” industrial agenda.
The SMMT said continued dialogue will be critical as the sector navigates the next phase of UK-EU competitiveness, particularly as the transition to electrification accelerates.
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