What Car? Q&A - Is metallic paint better?

Q: I have always bought cars with metallic paint because I think they wear better than those with flat paint colours. Am I right, or is that a myth?
Maurice Ital, London

A: The durability of any car’s paintwork is mainly due to the clear layer of lacquer that is applied over the colour. The past 15 years have seen a vast improvement in car-paint technology and metallic paints benefit from these enhancements. Cars produced before this time tended to be in flat non-metallic colours and do not weather as well.

A more noticeable benefit of metallic paint is that the car tends to be more desirable come resale time – and hence commands a slight premium.