When it comes to choosing that next set of wheels, following fashion could cost car owners dearly, warns HPI’s valuations experts.

Although the fashion conscience driver could be tempted by the latest ‘in vogue’ exterior bodywork shades, this could impact the value of the vehicle when the time comes to sell it.

To keep sellers in the pink and to avoid leaving prospective buyers green around the gills, HPI offers some words of wisdom.

“The main problem for buyers is choosing a colour that suits the car, as this can be a very important factor in deciding how much value it will retain,” explains Alan Senior, HPI’s used car valuations expert. “Silver has become a favourite choice over recent years, however, this means it could be out of favour for those wanting something different. Too many of the same models in the same colour can lead to over-saturation in the market.

“As with clothes, black is probably the safest option, as it always seems to find a buyer no matter what make or model. The latest trend for white is in many ways similar to yellow or bright green; you either love or hate it, so take this into consideration. Some colours work well on sporty models, but are bad news on larger saloons or hatchbacks.”