LEASE Plan, which buys 15,000 new cars a year, reports that 27% of its V-registration orders are for blue vehicles, which psychologists say shows drivers to be 'conservative, deliberate and usually cautious and who tend to be conscientious workers'.

Silver was the second most popular colour (24% of orders), chosen by people who are 'calm and self-contained' and 15% of people chose black cars, typically driven by 'passive people who display great sophistication and dignity'.