Motorists could face £18,000 hidden price when buying new car - 'Costs stick with you every month for years'

New analysis reveals that mainstream car brands now charge more than £700 for non-standard paint finishes, turning what appears to be a simple aesthetic choice into a significant financial decision.

These hidden costs catch many buyers unaware, with paint pricing varying dramatically between manufacturers.

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While some brands offer extensive colour palettes at no additional cost, others restrict free options to just one or two basic shades, forcing customers to pay substantial premiums for their preferred finish.

Nissan charges £745 for any Qashqai colour except red, whilst Seat allows customers to select any Ateca shade without charge.

Paul Barker, editor of Auto Express, said: "Unless you want your Qashqai in red, you'll need to budget another £745 above the list price to cover the paint."

Premium brands push prices even higher with BMW's X3 offering 26 paint options ranging from £875 to more than £4,500.

Meanwhile, Audi provides only white as standard on the Q3, charging £575 for alternative colours or £4,000 for custom finishes.

Even within the same automotive group, pricing strategies differ markedly. Volkswagen includes eight of nine Tiguan colours without charge, yet Audi maintains its premium pricing structure across the range.

Barker added: "We're seeing huge discrepancies in paint pricing between manufacturers, and they're not always obvious at first glance. It's catching people out and can turn what should be a fun part of car buying into a bit of a nightmare."

Ford charges £800 for any Kuga colour beyond white, whilst Vauxhall's Grandland includes only metallic black as standard, adding £650 for alternatives.

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At the extreme end, Maserati's Granturismo Folgore commands up to £18,000 for matte paint finishes.

Industry experts advise careful scrutiny of online configurators before committing to purchases. "Don't get dazzled by a glossy showroom finish," Barker warned. "It might look great under the lights, but it could be hiding a serious hit to your budget."

The financial impact extends beyond initial purchase prices, particularly for those using finance agreements. "If you're financing the car, those costs stick with you every month for years," Barker noted.

Buyers comparing models should calculate total costs, including paint charges. "Colour should be about personal taste, not personal financial pain," he added, urging motorists to understand precisely what they're paying for before making decisions.

Paint pricing by model

• Nissan Qashqai - Any colour (apart from red) is £745 extra
  
• Skoda Karoq - Optional bright finishes (e.g. red/orange) are £410
• Seat Ateca - All colours free of charge
• Volkswagen Tiguan - 'Exclusive' paint option is £1,310
• Audi Q3 - Any standard colour (apart from white) is £575, while custom finish is £4,000
• BMW X3 - Any standard colour (apart from white) ranges from £875 to £4,585
• Ford Kuga - Any standard colour (apart from white) is £800
• Vauxhall Grandland - Any standard colour (apart from metallic black) is £650
• Maserati Granturismo Folgore (premium model example) - optional matte paint costs up to £18,000