When it comes to used car sales, the color of a vehicle can make a significant difference in its resale value. While yellow cars hold their value the best, gold vehicles drop like a weight in the water.

A study by iSeeCars delved into the three-year-old used car market, revealing that yellow-painted cars have the lowest depreciation rate at 13.5 percent. Following closely behind are beige (17.8 percent) and orange (18.4 percent). The overall average depreciation rate stands at 22.5 percent. On the other end of the spectrum, gold cars face a 25.9 percent depreciation rate after three years.

Interestingly, popular colors like silver and black rank near the bottom of the list. Despite being widely accepted, their commonality contributes to their diminished value over time.

The color preferences in the automotive industry have evolved over the years. PPG, a global paint and coating supplier, noted that silver dominated the car color popularity chart in 2009, but by 2011, white took over the top spot. Today, personalized colors and two-tone finishes are making a comeback. Grays, blues, greens, and violets have gained popularity, but white and black continue to reign supreme as the most favored colors for new vehicles worldwide.

In terms of specific vehicle segments, iSeeCars found that not all colors depreciate at the same rate. Beige emerged as the truck color with the lowest depreciation, while orange and green closely followed. For sedans, brown models experienced the least depreciation, and for minivans, it was green.

While color can influence resale value, it’s essential to remember that depreciation involves various factors. Ultimately, choosing a color that resonates with you is crucial, regardless of its impact on value.

By analyzing over 1.6 million used cars from the 2020 model year, iSeeCars.com generated these depreciation rates, accounting for inflation and categorizing them by color and body style.

What is your favorite car color? Share with us in the comments below!