Fleet managers have been warned that while more vehicle manufacturers are launching new models with a white paint option, analysis of prestige marques by EurotaxGlass’s indicates that white cars are still getting a very mixed reception from used car buyers.

White examples of selected high performance models and vehicles with ‘sports’ styling kits are now achieving trade-in values comparable to those of identical cars finished in a popular metallic colour.

However, in most instances a white paint finish remains a serious turn-off for used car buyers, resulting in a significant residual value penalty - as much as £5,000 off the trade-in price.

“Current price variations for white cars can be best demonstrated by looking at individual model ranges,” explains Richard Crosthwaite, prestige car editor at EurotaxGlass’s.

“For example, an Audi A4 S-Line model in white currently performs well on the used market, and yet a white version of a standard A4 can be worth up to £1,000 less than an otherwise identical car in a desirable metallic colour.”

White is currently good news for residual values on performance models such as Audi S3, RS4 and R8, BMW 1 Series M Sport and M3, and Porsche 911 GT3, GT3 RS and Cayman.

By contrast, there remains a heavy residual value penalty for white versions of prestige-brand luxury saloons and SUVs (around £3,000 less than the same car in a popular metallic colour).

Many supercars and luxury grand-tourers will be penalised by as much as £5,000.