What Car Q&A January 2010 - Why have cops changed colour

Q) Why are almost all police cars now painted in silver? They always used to be white, and I would have thought that is the preferred colour for visibility.

I'm sure there's a good reason for the change, but I can't for the life of me think what it might be.

Peter Keast

A The reason for the change is simple: when police cars reach the end of their working life they are sold at auction, and silver cars command a higher price than those painted white.

Kent was the first police force to switch to silver patrol cars, but most have now followed suit.