WHITE used to be a free colour choice from car manufacturers but figures from valuation experts CAP HPI reveal that eight out of the top ten new car models ordered in 2015 added an extra premium of at least £250.

However, one in five new cars sold in 2015 was white, making it the most popular colour for car buyers for the third year running.

Last year, over 2.6 million new cars were registered and more than half a million of them were white. The popularity of white has grown by over two per cent since 2014.

Among the models that are offered in white as a "premium" option, the Ford Fiesta and Ford Focus are the cheapest at £250 extra.

Next comes the Volkswagen Golf at £260 and then the Vauxhall Corsa at £275 for plain white, but metallic white comes at a hefty premium of £545.

But CAP HPI analysis of the new car market also reveals that the only two models in the 2015 top 10 offer white as a no-cost option, the Audi A3 and the MINI Hatchback.

Mark Norman, of CAP HPI, said: "It's interesting to see that manufacturers have noticed the rising popularity of white cars here in the UK but buyers should be wary of paying extra for more unusual tones, just because they're on trend now - for example the SMMT has reported that mauve, orange and yellow cars are in demand - as it could make your car difficult to sell once that colour goes out of fashion.

"Here in the UK, those that spent that extra £250 spent on a new Ford Focus or VW Golf two or three years ago, will get that back if they decide to sell in the current used car market, making it a sound investment."