Can paint colour make your car lease more expensive?

The paint on your car can have a huge impact on the cost of your car lease

Creating the perfect personal car lease is kind of like baking a cake.

So many ingredients go into the mix and all of them play a part. Take an ingredient out, or add something rogue in, and the whole concoction transforms.

Suddenly, instead of a Victoria Sponge you’ve ended up with a flourless torte. Nice, but not exactly what you fancied. And if we’re just talking about baking, it’s not such a disaster.

But when it comes to leasing, you absolutely should end up with exactly what you want – no unwanted detours or roadblocks in sight.

That’s why we’re popping the bonnet on the mystery ingredient you need to know about next time you compare car lease deals.

Because it’s not just about mileage, or the duration, or even the type of car you’ve got your eye on. It’s about the smaller details; the fine print.

It’s about the paint you choose – and how that can bump up the price tag on your brand-new lease car.

Still with us? Then let’s get started.

What affects the cost of your car lease? 

The overall cost of your lease is based on one thing: predicted depreciation.

But there’s several factors that go into calculating this. The finance company looks at:

• The value of your lease car
• Your term (the duration of time you will have the lease car)
• Your annual mileage

This is to work out how much they think it will be worth at the end of your lease (AKA how much it has depreciated). But how much it’s worth beforehand? That’s something you’ve got less control over.

Most cars have a basic value starting with the entry level trim. But bump up the specification and the value follows suit, with additional safety features, tech, and optional pack starting to appear on the invoice.

And the other thing affecting the value?

Your choice of paint. Because (hopping back on the cake metaphor here), much like vanilla essence, not all car paint colours are created equal.

Some are more expensive than others, and knowing how to tell the difference could mean pocketing big savings over the term of your lease.

What are the different kinds of paint for cars?

There are generally four main types of paint finish for cars you should be aware of.

• Solid: the cheapest and most basic paint finish, this is unlikely to raise the price of your lease
• Metallic: more expensive, containing tiny pieces of aluminium to reflect light and boost shine
• Pearlescent: shines even more brightly than the metallic finish due to ceramic crystals in the paint
• Matte: the most expensive finish, this is a more modern and non-reflective look

Some lease deals will let you choose which paint finish you want on your car. But you should take note of the additional cost associated with anything other than solid paint.

You can check and choose paint colours on our website by opening a deal and looking at the ‘options’ drop-down on the left-hand side (just below where you select annual mileage).

Why are some car paints more expensive than others? 

It’s like the difference between synthetic mass-produced vanilla essence, and the authentic stuff that takes years to distil.

The bigger price tag reflects the differing manufacturing processes and materials.

So, what hikes up the price?

• Speciality pigments
• Complex hues
• Multi-stage processes
• Limited production volume
• Application complexity
• Manufacturers strategy

Metallic and pearlescent paint finishes would typically fall under ‘speciality pigments’. They need more careful application than solid paint, to ensure even distribution and achieve the desired effect.

And if these paints are in a complex hue – like red or purple – they’ll probably be more expensive again, because the organic compounds needed to make them cost more to mine.

That’s probably why the only properly magenta car you’ll see these days is a restored Triumph GT6 as it cruises past. Because mining may have been cheaper in past decades, but today’s carmakers don’t necessarily want to incur the extra cost.

But it’s not just the materials themselves hiking up the cost of paint.

Manufacturer strategy, market trends, and public perception can also have an impact. If manufacturers think some paint colours are more popular than others, it may affect the overall value of the car itself.

And you’re likely to see this reflected in your chosen lease deal.

How is the cost of paint factored into your lease?

You can easily see how the cost of paint is factored into your lease when you make a car lease comparison.

Because you shouldn’t just compare different makes and models – you should also compare different deals on your chosen lease car.

Say you were interested in taking one of our Polestar 4 lease deals. While customising things like your term and mileage, you can also customise the colour of your car with different paint options.

Just looking at the dual motor version, you can see metallic magnesium listed as the standard free option. You can choose this colour for no additional cost.

But if you want a different colour, you can see a clear breakdown of how much extra will be added onto your monthly rental. There’s a range of other metallic paints to choose from, with a difference of less than £20 to your monthly rental, compared to the free standard option*.

Essentially, leasing lets you spread that extra cost over a set period. Compared to buying a car outright, where you’d simply be looking at a bigger lump sum, leasing is a more affordable way to get your hands on a car with more expensive paint.

So, if you’re someone who fancies a XPENG G6 in Fiery Orange, or the Ford Capri in Vivid Yellow, a lease car deal could be the more affordable road to the car of your dreams.

*Premium paint costs vary by manufacturer and model. The figures shown are based on current Polestar 4 configurations (at the time of writing) and are added to your standard monthly rental. Check your specific vehicle quote for exact pricing.

Does paint colour affect any other aspect of my car lease?

Not directly – but there are some additional things to keep in mind.

As paint colour can affect the overall value of the car this could have an impact on your insurance premium. So, while it’s not a lease payment, your insurance is a cost associated with your lease that you should factor into your budget.

But it’s not just costs to keep in mind. There is a road safety element too, because bright colours are more visible.

Just think about it: you’re not likely to miss a bright orange MG4 at a busy junction, but darker colours like blue and black can be harder to spot.

Especially in adverse weather conditions, or at night.

It’s not a key consideration – new cars come kitted out with all sorts of safety tech to make your ride smoother and safer – but if your choice of colour comes down to more than personal preference, then it’s a point in the pro column for a bold colour.

What are the most popular car colours now? 

Ready for the reveal? The most popular car colour in the UK in 2024 was grey. Or at least, more than a quarter of new cars registered in 2024 were grey.

Whether that’s down to market demand or manufacturer strategy, who could say?

But while it’s not the most interesting colour in the paint box, grey coloured cars seem to retain resale value well. As a more neutral pigment, it’s got a timeless quality that other colours lack.

Like the colour brown. When applied to a car, it’s basically synonymous with 80s automotive design. If you’re buying a family car in the 80s, it’s basically the vibe you’d expect – but it probably wouldn’t translate well onto a brand-new Nissan Qashqai.

Black, blue and white have also proven popular in recent years. And we can see why: they’re sophisticated, classic colours that appeal to both families and professionals.

But, brighter colours are starting to climb in numbers. Red was the fifth most popular car colour in 2024, with green, yellow and orange following closely behind.

Let’s face it: a vivid colour can really elevate a car ahead of the competition. Take the XPENG G6. It’s taken design cues from some top-notch brands, but the use of Fiery Orange paint really makes it pop and stand out in a crowded SUV class.

In fact, look closely at it in the sun and you’ll see tiny blue sparkles hidden in that orange paint. Which makes it feel even more special.

And honestly, we applaud that kind of effort. Because if you’re spending your hard-earned cash on a lease car, you deserve that little extra pizzaz.

Does paint colour make your car lease more expensive? 

In short – yes, it can.

A more premium paint option such as metallic or pearlescent may bump up your monthly payment.

But, compared to buying outright where you’d be paying a significant difference at retail level, leasing lets you spread the cost throughout your term. Whether you’re searching for a cheap car lease deal or premium options, leasing gives you that flexibility.

And what you’re paying for isn’t the cost of the paint itself, but the difference in what the funder thinks it’s worth – and what it will be worth when you hand back the keys.

So, while your monthly payment may be a little more expensive, it’s definitely the more affordable option if you love a premium paint.

And even better? You can pick and choose from any available hue without ever worrying about which colour is best for resale value.

So now you've got all the ingredients for your perfect car lease - including that all-important splash of colour. Which hue will you choose?