A new study released today by Heritage Car Insurance reveals that British roads are losing their colour and that in less than a decade, some of the most distinctive car colours could disappear completely from UK roads.
Data obtained from the DVLA via a Freedom of Information Request detailing car registrations over the past five years reveals that five car colours, including cream, turquoise, pink, orange, and brown, could be on the verge of extinction, with projections indicating they will completely disappear from UK roads by 2033. Cream is even projected to goextinct as early as the end of the year.
British roads are quite literally becoming greyer, and drivers aren’t happy about it. Grey, black, and white now make up nearly 68% of new car registrations, with grey leading at 559,043 in 2024, leaving drivers feeling bored and disappointed in modern designs.
The colours facing extinction
Once a common sight, several car colours are now facing extinction from UK roads. Cream is disappearing the fastest, with just nine registrations in 2024, meaning it could be gone entirely by the end of 2025.
Turquoise is not far behind, projected to go extinctas early as next year, while pink is on track to disappear by 2027. Orange is also in decline and unlikely to last the decade. As for brown, it’s fading the slowest, but it’s only a matter of time before it joins the rest on the endangered list.
| Colour | Projected Extinction Year |
| Cream | 2025 |
| Turquoise | 2026 |
| Pink | 2027 |
| Orange | 2030 |
| Brown | 2033 |
A nation growing bored of its cars
If you’ve ever felt like today’s cars all look the same, you’re not alone. Heritage surveyed over 400 classic car owners, revealing a growing sense of dissatisfaction with modern car designs. A striking 76% of those surveyed agree that there are fewercolourful cars on the road than in previous years.
As the UK’s roads become a sea of greys, blacks, and whites, many drivers are voicing their concerns about the loss of character on the streets. In fact,64% admit to feeling bored by modern car design, saying that today’s cars all look too similar and while they are functional, they lack soul.
For 59%, there’s a growing sense of disappointment that modern cars have lost their individuality. And 27% say the lack of colour on modern roads makethem feel nostalgic, missing the sight of vibrant, colourful cars that once gave UK roads a more diverse, eye-catching character.
Beyond personal preference, the shift could have practical implications too. One in six drivers report that the lack of colour contrast makes them feel less alert on the road, making it harder to spot and react to potential hazards.
It’s not just about aesthetics, many feel it’s erasing the personality of car brands. The majority (94%) ofrespondents say that car manufacturers are losing their distinct identities with their new designs. Three quarters also state that car brands are now losing their traditional colour associations like Ferrari’s iconic red or Jaguar’s classic green.
Nostalgia’s driving a classic car comeback
With modern car designs becoming increasingly alike, interest in classic cars is rising. The longing for more unique designs isn’t just limited to colours. A massive 85% of survey respondents prefer the distinctive styling of classic vehicles, while 74% appreciate their personality, something they feel is missing from today’s mass-produced models. This shift is also backed by data. DVLA records show the number of historic classic cars on UK roads has risen to 415,257 in 2024, up 5.8% from 391,002 in 2023.
Mark Wilkinson, Managing Director at Heritage Car Insurance, comments:
“British roads are losing their colour, and drivers are starting to take notice. As manufacturers focus on neutral shades like grey, black, and white, the variety that once made the streets more vibrant is fading fast. Prioritising mass-market appeal and resale value over individuality, carmakers are producing increasingly uniform designs, with once-distinctive brand colours disappearing and cars looking more alike than ever.
“For those looking to bring back a sense of personality, classic cars offer a compelling alternative. Their unique designs, craftsmanship, and heritage provide a level of character that many feel is missing from modern vehicles.”
For the full findings of the research, please visit: https://www.heritagecarinsurance.co.uk/blog/are-british-roads-losing-their-colour/
