LESS than a quarter of new cars from the UK's top manufacturersare available with a manual gearbox this year, down by 66 per cent from a decade ago.

The 2026 Manual Gearbox Report from CarGurus- a leading automotive marketplace in the UK - reveals that just 67 of the 292 new vehicle models currently offered by the UK's top 30 manufacturers are available with a manual transmission.

This is down sharply from 197 models in 2016, reflecting the rapid decline in options for drivers who prefer the control of a manual gearbox.

Year-over-year comparisons underscore the continued reduction in manual options, dropping from 82 models in 2025 after an eight per cent reduction from 2024.

This current rate of decline, combined with the upcoming 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel car sales, suggests the manual gearbox could well be nearing its end in mainstream cars.

Conversely, automatic-only models continue to rise. In 2026, 225 out of 292 models analysed are available exclusively with an automatic gearbox, up from 197 in 2025.

Furthermore, eight brands now exclusively sell automatic vehicles. Fiat and Honda are the latest manufacturers to phase out manual gearboxes from their model line-ups, joining Mercedes-Benz, Land Rover, Volvo, Tesla, MINI, and Lexus.

This is up from six brands in 2025 and five in 2024, representing a 60 per cent increase in the number of automakers without manual options over just two years.

Jaguar was excluded from this year's study due to its imminent brand relaunch. However, the brand's final models included in CarGurus' 2024 study did not offer manual gearboxes, and its upcoming line-up is also expected to be automatic-only.

CarGurus experts suggest that several factors are contributing to the phasing out of manual options. Automatic transmissions are becoming the default as SUVs, premium vehicles, hybrids, and EVs-most of which don't offer manuals-make up a larger share of new models.

The growing popularity of Chinese car brands in the UK is reinforcing the shift away from manual gearboxes. Among the fastest-growing brands (outside of MG, which is consistently included in the UK's top 30 manufacturers), BYD, Jaecoo, and Omoda offer 15 new models, none of which are available with a manual transmission.

Despite the reduction in manual options for new cars, there remains a varied selection of manual cars on the used market. Buyers looking for the tactile driving experience, lower maintenance costs, or just the familiarity of a traditional gearbox, can still find an excellent range of suitable vehicles on the CarGurus platform.

Chris Knapman, CarGurus UK editorial director, said: "Manual gearboxes are becoming increasingly rare in the new car market, now making up just under a quarter of all models. Over the past decade, the number of new manuals has more than halved, reflecting the wider shift towards automatic, hybrid, and electric vehicles. Yet for drivers who still value the engagement and control of a traditional gearbox, the used market still offers a wide variety of options.

"From compact hatchbacks to sporty coupes, enthusiasts can still find vehicles that deliver the connection and enjoyment of a manual. Our research highlights that while new manual cars are declining, there has never been a better time to explore the used market. With CarGurus, users can easily filter by gearbox type to find everything from rare classics to affordable everyday drivers, making it simple to locate the perfect manual for any style or budget."