The manual gearbox is rapidly shifting into reverse in the UK’s new car market.

The revelation comes as the latest research reveals the number of models offering manual transmissions has dropped to its lowest point in a decade.

According to CarGurus, only 82 new car models with manual gearboxes are available in 2025 — a dramatic 57% drop from 192 in 2015.

Sifting cogs

Manual transmissions have been in noticeable decline for the last two decades, as the evolution of automatic boxes has seen a transformation of the technology and its capabilities.

Gone are the slow changes, poor acceleration and hgh fuel consumption.

Now, the auto industry is fast, smooth, and often more economical in fuel use, and are used by top luxury and sports brands.

No longer are they the choice of the old and wealthy, but it seems they are the choice across the board.

Match this with the rise of the EV, which effectively removes the need for gearboxes – just forward and reverse – and it seems the demise of the manual transmission is nigh.

Accelerating

Through this decline, the trend has been steady and steep, with manual options falling 25% since 2023 and down 8% from 2024’s total of 89 models.

Today, manual cars account for just 29% of the models available from the UK’s 30 top-selling automakers, with the remaining 196 models offered only with automatic transmissions.

This shift reflects a broader industry trend driven by electrification, evolving consumer preferences, and the growing dominance of premium vehicles that default to automatics.

Major brands including Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Lexus, Land Rover, MINI, and Tesla now offer no manual options at all.

Jaguar, though not included in this year’s analysis due to its pause in new car sales until 2026, also dropped manuals prior to announcing a full transition to electric vehicles.

Top gear

The pace of decline is such that CarGurus projects manual gearboxes could vanish entirely from new car production by 2037 if current trends continue.

“An automatic gearbox is no longer a luxury upgrade — it’s become the new norm,” said Chris Knapman, Editorial Director at CarGurus UK.

“With more electric vehicles coming to market and an industry push towards larger, more advanced vehicles, the manual gearbox is quietly slipping away.”

Consumer sentiment is also playing a role.

A 2024 CarGurus survey of 2,000 UK drivers revealed that only 28% would miss manual gearboxes, and a similar number would miss clutch pedals.

Older drivers show more loyalty to manuals, with 35% of those over 65 saying they’d miss them, compared to just 22% of drivers aged 25 to 34.

Neutral but no reverse

Manufacturers new to the UK market, such as Polestar, BYD, and Leapmotor, are further accelerating the transition by offering only automatic models, aligning with the broader global shift toward electric vehicles and simplified drivetrains.

Still, for enthusiasts who relish the tactile engagement of shifting gears, a few holdouts remain.

Models like the Honda Civic Type R, Mazda MX-5, and various offerings from Volkswagen, Ford, and Porsche still come with a manual gearbox.

At the lower end of the market in terms of price, brands like Dacia, Suzuki, and Kia also continue to offer manual options in their more affordable ranges.

Meanwhile, the used car market remains a haven for manual lovers.

On the CarGurus platform, 47% of available used cars still feature manual transmissions.

The platform has even published a dedicated guide for the best manual cars in 2025 to help buyers navigate the shrinking field.

As the UK inches closer to its 2035 deadline to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars, the manual gearbox appears destined to become a relic of the past — fondly remembered by some, forgotten by many.