What ‘Colour Changes’ means on a Vehicle History Report

You might feel a sense of panic when you see colour changes noted on your vehicle history report. But it could mean a lot of things from accidental damage to cosmetic updates. Learn more about this warning from the DVLA, and what you should do about it:

• Pass - Obviously, you may have other issues with this car, but colour changes are not one of them. Provided everything else is ok, you can proceed with the purchase. A passing score for colour changes looks like this.
• Warning -  A colour change notification could be a worry. It may mean the car was involved in a substantial accident and the colour was updated as a result of the repair. To see what a colour change warning looks like, click here.

What Happens If You Buy a Colour Changed Car?

It might be okay. You just need to know why the colour was changed. Did the owner simply tire of the previous colour and want something new? Or was it involved in a serious accident? To change the colour of a car, Balgores states, “One thing you must do is update your V5c registration certificate – also known as your log book – with the DVLA. A change of colour doesn’t affect your vehicle tax, but you must mark the colour changes on section 7 of your registration certificate, sign it and send it to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BA.” That is how the DVLA becomes aware of the change and it appears in a vehicle history check.

Should you buy a colour changed car?

Sure. So long as you know why the colour was changed in the first place. It’s recommended that you ask the seller for the receipts from that service. Then you’ll know if the colour change was the result of cosmetic changes or substantial repair. If you don’t trust the provenance of the documents, you can always call up the body shop to confirm. It’s also a good idea to check the quality of the paintwork with an independent third party. You don’t want shoddy workmanship to open you up to rust, peeling or other deterioration down the line. Assuming everything is in order, it’s fine to purchase a colour changed car.

As with any new car purchase, a car history check is needed before committing to the sale. If you have questions or need support with your used car check, just chat to us here.