New research shows that British roads are going full grayscale, and not in a cool retro way. Thanks to exclusive DVLA data, Heritage Car Insurance has revealed that five once-popular car colours could vanish completely by 2033 — and some way sooner.
The endangered shades? Orange, pink, cream, turquoise, and brown. Cream's clinging on by a thread with only nine new cars registered in that colour in 2024 — meaning it might be gone by the end of this year. Turquoise could follow in 2026, pink by 2027, orange by 2030, and brown by 2033.
Right now, grey, black, and white dominate the roads — making up almost 68% of new car registrations. Grey is king with over 559,000 cars registered in 2024 alone.
And it’s not just about aesthetics. One in six drivers say the lack of colour makes it harder to focus, with less contrast on the road making it trickier to spot hazards.
Here’s the extinction timeline:
- Cream – 2025
- Turquoise – 2026
- Pink – 2027
- Orange – 2030
- Brown – 2033
As modern cars start to look more and more alike, people are turning to classic cars to inject some personality back onto the roads. According to the DVLA, there are now 415,257 historic cars registered in the UK — up nearly 6% from last year.
Mark Wilkinson, MD at Heritage Car Insurance, summed it up: "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.”
So, if you want to stand out in a world of grey SUVs — maybe it’s time to go retro.
