Car expert shares warning with motorists over importance of vehicle's colour

Irish Daily Mirror

30-06-2025

A motoring expert has urged drivers to be cautious of one small decision when they purchase a new vehicle, which could end them up with some significant extra costs.
Paul Barker, editor of Auto Express, warned that picking the colour of a car can have some financial implications, as some manufacturers charge extra for specific colours.
Paul shared that while the practice is not new, it can impact monthly repayments for those using finance agreements. He cited examples from Nissan and Skoda, illustrating how the costs vary between companies, reports the Express.
Paul said: "It's entirely likely that anyone shopping for a new Nissan Qashqai might also have a Skoda Karoq on their shortlist.
"Unless you want your Qashqai in red, you'll need to budget another €870 above the list price to cover the paint, whereas you can have your Skoda in any one of five colours including a pearl finish and so-called Exclusive Meteor Grey completely free of charge.
"So, if you're not having your Qashqai in red, the cost of this mid-size SUV has jumped up by €390 - and most likely more than €820 - versus the Skoda."
While the colour of a car may not affect its performance, for many motorists it could be crucial in deciding whether to buy a particular brand.
Paul highlighted that Nissan is not alone in this approach, with companies like SEAT and Maserati also adopting distinctive rules and pricing structures regarding car colours.
He concluded: "So whatever car you're looking at, don't get distracted by the shiny colours - and make sure you're not in the dark about what your favourite shade will cost you."
Drivers are also being alerted to the pitfalls of purchasing a used car and the errors to be aware of. Key among these is neglecting to perform essential checks before forking out cash for the car.
A study by AA Cars revealed a startling 79 percent of people bought a pre-owned vehicle without getting a professional check first.
James Hosking, Managing Director of AA Cars, commented: "Buying a used car is a major financial decision, so it's concerning how many people aren't ticking off even the most basic checks.
"Failing to thoroughly assess a car before buying it could mean missing warning signs that point to costly repairs down the line. It also makes it harder to know whether you're getting good value for money."