A decade ago, the tactile connection between driver and machine offered by a manual gearbox was considered a defining feature of driving pleasure. Fast forward to 2025, and new data from CarGurus paints a stark picture of its fading presence in the UK’s automotive landscape.
According to new research by CarGurus — a leading online automotive marketplace — just 82 new car models equipped with manual transmissions are available across the UK’s most popular manufacturers this year. That marks a 57% decline since 2015, when buyers had 192 models to choose from. The fall is not only steep but consistent, with manual options decreasing by 8% since 2024 and 25% since 2023.
Automatics Take the Wheel
In 2025, manual gearboxes make up only 29% of new model offerings (82 out of 278 models) from Britain’s best-selling car brands. Conversely, 196 models are now available exclusively with automatic transmissions, underlining a decisive industry shift toward ease, efficiency, and electrification.
This decline is also reflected in the strategic decisions of top brands. Six major automakers — Mercedes-Benz, Land Rover, Volvo, Tesla, MINI and Lexus — have eliminated manual transmissions from their lineups altogether. Land Rover and MINI, who each clung to a single manual offering last year, dropped the option entirely in 2025. Meanwhile, Jaguar’s temporary pause in new car sales until 2026 removes it from this year’s analysis, though the brand had already phased out manuals and is pursuing an all-electric future.
Consumer Demand Mirrors Industry Trends
CarGurus’ 2024 driver survey revealed that only 28% of motorists said they’d miss manual gearboxes, with similar numbers expressing nostalgia for clutch pedals. Unsurprisingly, older drivers were the most attached to the analogue experience, with 35% of over-65s saying they’d miss manuals, compared to just 22% of drivers aged 25–34.
This shifting sentiment is reshaping the market. CarGurus predicts that if the current pace continues — with roughly seven manual models disappearing annually — new cars with manual transmissions could vanish entirely by 2037.
Emerging Brands, Emerging Realities
Further accelerating this transition is the rise of new entrants like Polestar, BYD, and Leapmotor, which exclusively produce automatic vehicles. While these brands haven’t yet broken into the top 30 in the UK, their growing market share will likely further marginalise the manual gearbox.
According to Chris Knapman, CarGurus U.K. Editorial Director, this evolution is logical:
“With an increasing number of new cars being fully electric, and the market’s general push to larger and more premium vehicles, it is no great surprise to see the decline of the manual gearbox continuing… An automatic gearbox is no longer a luxury buyers must pay extra for, but an expected standard feature.”
The Manual Market Still Has Life — in the Used Sector
Despite dwindling options in showrooms, manual fans aren’t out of luck. The used car market remains rich in choice, with nearly 47% of all listings on CarGurus featuring a manual transmission. For those seeking a more visceral driving experience, CarGurus has also published a 2025 guide to the best manual cars still worth considering.
Even among new models, drivers can still opt for enthusiasts’ favourites like the Honda Civic Type R, Mazda MX-5, and Porsche 911, which continue to champion the charm of the stick shift.
Snapshot: Manual Gearbox Availability in 2025
Here are some of the top brands still offering manuals in select models:
- Audi: A1, A3, Q2, Q3
- BMW: 1 Series, 2 Series Gran Coupe, M2
- Dacia: Duster, Jogger, Sandero Stepway, Bigster
- Ford: Focus, Puma, Mustang
- Mazda: MX-5, Mazda3, CX-30
- Toyota: Aygo X, GR Yaris, Hilux
- Volkswagen: Golf, Polo, Taigo, T-Cross
Yet even this list is shrinking year by year. The message is clear: while manual cars aren’t extinct just yet, they are quickly becoming a niche — cherished by enthusiasts, sustained by the second-hand market, and slowly disappearing from the dealership floor.
For drivers who still relish the engagement of a clutch and gear lever, the time to buy may be now — before the manual becomes a memory.
