What does colour change mean on a car?
Colour change means a car's paint colour has been changed from its original factory colour. This change should be recorded with the DVLA and updated on the vehicle's V5C registration document. Colour changes can be done for personal preference, to repair damage, or to disguise a vehicle's history, and may affect the vehicle's value and identity verification.
Why colour change matters to buyers
Identity verification
Colour changes can make it more difficult to verify a vehicle's identity, particularly if the change was done to disguise damage or hide the vehicle's history. This can affect your ability to confirm the vehicle's true condition and provenance.
Quality of work
The quality of a colour change can vary significantly. Poor quality paintwork may indicate cost-cutting or may hide underlying damage. High-quality colour changes are expensive and may indicate the vehicle was worth the investment.
Resale value
Colour changes can affect resale value, depending on the quality of work and whether the new colour is desirable. Some buyers may be deterred by non-original colours, while others may prefer the changed colour.
Potential concealment
Colour changes can be used to conceal damage, repairs, or to disguise a vehicle's identity. If a colour change seems unnecessary or suspicious, it may indicate an attempt to hide problems with the vehicle.
What colour change indicates
Colour changes occur when a vehicle's paint is changed from its original factory colour. This can be done for various reasons, including personal preference, to repair damage, to update the vehicle's appearance, or in some cases, to disguise the vehicle's identity or history.
Legitimate colour changes should be recorded with the DVLA and the V5C registration document should be updated to reflect the new colour. The quality of the paintwork can vary significantly, from professional resprays to lower-quality work that may hide underlying issues.
Colour changes are recorded in official vehicle records and may appear on vehicle history checks. While colour changes are legal and common, they can affect vehicle identity verification and may indicate attempts to conceal damage or alter the vehicle's appearance for other reasons. Colour changes may be accompanied by registration plate changes, which can also affect identity verification.
What to check before buying a car with colour change
- Verify the colour change is recorded on the V5C registration document
- Check the quality of the paintwork for signs of poor workmanship
- Look for signs of underlying damage that may have prompted the colour change
- Verify the vehicle's identity matches the registration documents
- Check for signs of vehicle cloning or identity theft
- Review the vehicle's history for other suspicious changes or issues
- Have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle thoroughly
- Consider the impact on resale value before committing to purchase
How a vehicle history check helps
A vehicle history check provides official records from UK databases, including vehicle identity and registration information. This helps buyers verify whether a vehicle's colour has been changed and whether the change is properly recorded.
Sellers may not always disclose colour changes, particularly if they are trying to conceal issues. A vehicle history check provides independent verification from official sources, helping buyers identify colour changes and assess whether they may indicate attempts to disguise problems with the vehicle.
What a Carpeep vehicle history check can show
- Registration plate changes and vehicle identity verification
- Write-off category (Cat S, Cat N, Cat A, Cat B, Cat C, Cat D) and date of write-off
- Theft and recovery status, including whether the vehicle has been reported stolen
- Outstanding finance agreements, including provider name, agreement type, and start date
- Mileage inconsistencies and potential odometer rollbacks, automatically flagged
- Keeper changes and number of previous owners
- MOT history timeline, including all test dates, pass/fail results, advisories, and recorded mileage at each test
Frequently asked questions
Is colour change legal?
Yes, colour changes are legal, but they must be recorded with the DVLA and the V5C registration document should be updated to reflect the new colour. Failure to notify the DVLA of a colour change is an offence.
Does colour change affect value?
Colour changes can affect value depending on the quality of work and whether the new colour is desirable. Some buyers may be deterred by non-original colours, while others may prefer the changed colour. Poor quality paintwork can reduce value significantly.
How can I check if a car has had a colour change?
You can check if a car has had a colour change by reviewing the V5C registration document, which should show the current colour. You can also run a vehicle history check and inspect the vehicle for signs of repainting, such as overspray or colour mismatches in door jambs and engine bays.
Should I be concerned about a colour change?
Colour changes are common and often legitimate. However, you should verify the change is properly recorded and assess the quality of work. Be cautious if a colour change seems unnecessary or if it appears to be concealing damage or other issues.
Can colour change indicate vehicle cloning?
Colour changes can sometimes be used as part of vehicle cloning schemes to make a stolen vehicle match the identity of a legitimate vehicle. If a colour change seems suspicious or doesn't match the vehicle's history, it may warrant further investigation.
What should I check on a car with colour change?
You should verify the colour change is recorded on the V5C, check the quality of paintwork, look for signs of underlying damage, verify the vehicle's identity, and have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle. Also review the vehicle's history for other suspicious changes.