What colour car has the most accidents in the UK?
Red, brown, and black cars are statistically the most accident-prone in the UK, with red vehicles appearing in up to 60% of accident records. By contrast, white and grey cars are consistently linked with lower crash rates.
Car colour might seem like a style choice, but studies suggest it can have safety implications. In the UK, research from sources like carVertical highlights that certain colours appear disproportionately in accident reports. Red leads the way in multiple datasets, followed closely by brown and black. These colours are often associated with either poor visibility on the road or high-performance vehicles.
White and grey, on the other hand, tend to be easier to spot in a range of conditions. That simple difference in visibility may be one reason these colours feature less often in crash data.
Colour alone doesn’t determine whether you’ll be involved in a collision—but it can be a contributing factor. Visibility, driving style, vehicle type, and even the time of day all intersect with colour in subtle but important ways. Understanding those links might help inform not just what you drive, but how—and when—you drive it.
Why do car colours affect accident risk?
Car colours influence accident risk primarily due to visibility—darker and low-contrast colours are harder to see, especially in poor lighting or bad weather.
This reduced visibility makes collisions more likely, particularly in dusk, dawn, or nighttime conditions.
Drivers don’t always think about how their vehicle’s colour blends—or fails to stand out—against the road, the sky, or the environment. A black or brown car on a grey rainy motorway? It’s less noticeable, which means other road users may react later, particularly at junctions or when overtaking. That delay, even if it’s a fraction of a second, can increase crash risk.
Brighter, high-contrast colours like white, silver, and yellow tend to perform better because they create a clearer visual outline in all conditions. That’s also why emergency vehicles are painted bright colours—they’re meant to be seen.
It’s not just about daylight, either. Some colours reflect more light under headlights, while others absorb it. At night or in fog, a lighter-coloured vehicle is simply easier to spot from a distance, giving drivers more time to react. That visibility buffer can be the difference between a near miss and a real accident.
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Get QuotesWhich car colour has the most accidents in the UK?
Red is often cited as the car colour most likely to be involved in accidents in the UK, with multiple studies reporting accident rates ranging from 18.8% to as high as 60%.
Other high-risk colours include brown, black, and yellow, depending on the dataset used.
A study by carVertical found that 60% of red vehicles checked had been in an accident—more than any other colour in their sample. Brown cars followed closely with 59%, and black cars weren’t far behind at 57%. Yellow vehicles were also notable, appearing second on some accident lists with involvement rates exceeding 50%.
Why red? The answer isn’t purely visibility—it’s also behavioural. Red and yellow cars are often found on sportier models, and drivers of these tend to adopt more assertive or faster driving styles. Add in colour psychology (red signals danger or speed) and insurance underwriters begin to see a pattern.
Black and brown, on the other hand, suffer from lower visibility, particularly in poor weather or at night. When these cars blend into the environment, it compromises reaction time for others on the road.
Grey, silver, and white cars consistently perform better in accident stats—visibility again being the likely factor.
Which colour car is the safest?
White and grey cars are statistically the safest, with accident involvement rates lower than darker or more vivid colours—often between 44% and 50% depending on the source.
Their visibility in most driving conditions makes them easier to spot and less likely to be involved in a collision.
White cars stand out clearly against most backgrounds—road surfaces, countryside, cityscapes—and that makes a difference, especially in low light or poor weather. Grey and silver vehicles also tend to reflect light more effectively, improving visibility at night without being too conspicuous during the day.
Some insurers have acknowledged this by offering slightly lower premiums for lighter-coloured vehicles, although the difference is usually marginal. Still, when assessing risk, anything that helps prevent an accident—like enhanced visibility—isn’t dismissed outright.
It’s important to note, though, that “safest” doesn’t mean “safe.” Drivers still need to account for road conditions, speed, and their own behaviour. Colour may reduce the likelihood of an incident, but it doesn’t eliminate it.
Do certain colour cars cost more to insure?
Car colour doesn’t directly affect your insurance premium, but it can influence it indirectly through factors linked to vehicle type and risk profile.
Insurers don’t ask for colour, but patterns in claims and car categories mean some colours are more expensive to cover than others.
Insurance providers in the UK don’t base premiums on colour alone, but certain shades are more commonly associated with high-risk vehicles or driving behaviours. For example, red cars are often coupes or performance models, typically driven more aggressively. In contrast, white and grey cars are usually practical hatchbacks or saloons used for commuting—less risk, lower premiums.
Here’s how colour-related factors influence cost:
- Vehicle type: Bright colours like red and yellow are common on high-performance cars.
- Driver behaviour: Some colours appeal to more assertive drivers, which can mean more claims.
- Visibility: Black and dark blue cars are harder to see at night, increasing accident risk.
- Usage: Some colours are preferred for business or fleet vehicles, which may reduce premiums due to cautious driving habits.
If you’re comparing cover for a red sports car versus a silver city hatchback, the difference in premium will likely stem from these attributes—not the colour itself.
For those looking to save on ongoing costs, it’s worth comparing quotes for your specific car setup. You can start with a quick car insurance comparison or, if you only need cover for a day or week, explore temporary car insurance options.
Final thoughts
While red, black, brown and yellow cars are statistically more likely to be involved in accidents, colour alone doesn’t determine your risk on the road—or your insurance premium. Visibility, vehicle type, and driver behaviour all play a role, and it’s these surrounding factors that insurers care about most.
So, should you avoid red or black cars? Not necessarily. If you’re a careful driver, keep your car in good condition, and choose a model with a solid safety record, the colour becomes largely cosmetic. But if you’re weighing up options, lighter colours like white, silver, or grey do offer marginal visibility benefits, particularly in low-light conditions.
At the end of the day, safety comes down to more than paintwork. Attentive driving, regular maintenance, and the right insurance cover will always count for more than the shade of your bonnet.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Silver cars are among the most commonly stolen in the UK, largely due to their popularity. However, theft rates tend to correlate more with make and model than colour alone.
Black cars are stylish but less visible in poor weather or at night, increasing the likelihood of accidents. They may also show dirt, scratches, and minor damage more easily than lighter colours.
Yes. Neutral tones like white, silver, and grey tend to hold their value better in the UK, as they appeal to a wider range of buyers. Unusual or bold colours can reduce resale demand.
Not necessarily. While white hides scratches better than dark colours, it may require more frequent washing to remove dirt. Maintenance costs are more influenced by model and mileage than paint colour.
White and silver offer higher visibility in low-light or snowy conditions, making them safer choices during UK winters. Darker colours can blend into the road or surroundings, posing greater risk.
There’s no concrete evidence in the UK to suggest red cars are targeted more, but they may draw more attention due to their visibility and association with sportier driving.
Not directly. Matte or glossy finishes don’t change accident risk or premium prices. However, some finishes may be more expensive to repair, which can affect claim costs.
Yes. If you repaint your car or wrap it in a different colour, you must update the V5C with the DVLA to reflect the change. It’s a legal requirement.