Manual Gearboxes Fading as Automatic Cars Dominate New Car Orders in Britain

Sales of new cars with manual transmissions have reached a historic low in Britain, with fewer than one in twelve (7.9%) new models ordered in the first half of this year equipped with a gearstick. This represents a significant drop from 14% in the same period last year and 21% in 2024, according to analysis by car buying and selling site Carwow.

The number of new car purchases featuring manual gearboxes has fallen by over 60% in the last two years alone. Currently, only 72 out of 356 unique new car models available across all brands offer a manual transmission, meaning just one in five new car options still includes a gearstick.

Several factors are accelerating this shift away from traditional manual gearboxes. These include more competitive pricing for automatic vehicles, enhanced comfort and convenience, and the increasing prevalence of electric vehicles, which are exclusively automatic. More than half of manufacturers selling cars in Britain (54%) have already phased out manual options from their lineups.

Experts suggest that changing driver preferences play a significant role, with many motorists favoring the ease of automatic transmissions, particularly in stop-and-go traffic. The growing popularity of hybrid and electric cars, which are almost exclusively automatic, further limits the availability of manual options. Additionally, advancements in automatic transmission technology have made them more appealing, offering nearly seamless gear changes.

The cost difference between manual and automatic cars has also diminished. A decade ago, choosing an automatic typically incurred a premium of around £3,000, but this has halved to between £1,000 and £1,500 today, partly due to increased adoption lowering manufacturing costs.

Tom Jervis, a consumer reporter at Auto Express magazine, noted that drivers increasingly value the convenience of automatics in everyday traffic. He anticipates that manual gearboxes could disappear entirely soon after the end of this decade, as manufacturers find it increasingly difficult to justify the investment in developing and certifying manual transmissions for a shrinking market share.

Rise of Automatic Driving Tests

The trend towards automatics is also reflected in driving tests. The number of learners opting for automatic-only driving tests has been steadily increasing. In the last fiscal year (2024-25), over a quarter (26.1%) of all practical driving tests taken were in automatic vehicles, according to the DVSA. This marks a substantial rise from 12.7% a decade ago (2014-15).

Despite a common perception that automatic cars are easier to drive, pass rates for auto-only tests remain statistically lower than the overall average. In the last fiscal year, the pass rate for automatic tests was 43.9%, compared to an overall average pass rate of 48.7%.

International Context and Holiday Travel

For drivers with an automatic-only license, travel to certain European countries could present challenges. In countries like Italy and Spain, the market shift to automatics has been slower, with manuals still representing a significant portion of new car registrations. In Italy, manuals accounted for 48% of registrations in 2025, and in Spain, 41% of drivers ordered cars with gearsticks. This means drivers hiring cars in these popular holiday destinations may find automatic options limited or more expensive, as rental companies often purchase manual vehicles in bulk due to lower costs.

In contrast, Germany has followed a similar trajectory to Britain, with manual transmissions dropping from over 80% of registrations in 2001 to just 18% in 2025. In the United States, manual transmission cars represented less than 1% of the market last year.

Remaining Manual Models

As of the latest analysis, 72 car models are still available with a manual gearbox. These include various models from manufacturers such as Audi, BMW, Citroen, Dacia, Fiat, Ford, Hyundai, Jeep, Kia, Lotus, Mazda, MG, Nissan, Peugeot, Renault, SEAT, Skoda, Suzuki, Vauxhall, and Volkswagen.