92% of new UK cars are automatics — manuals are fading fast

The UK new-car market has flipped the script on transmissions: automatic gearboxes now dominate to an unprecedented degree. Fresh registration data shows that 92% of all new cars ordered in Britain this year came with automatic transmissions, while only 7.9% of delivered cars in the first half of the year were fitted with a manual gearbox. Out of 356 new models currently on sale in the UK, just 72 still offer a manual option, signaling the rapid retreat of the three-pedal experience from mainstream showrooms. The shift is being driven by the rise of electrified powertrains—hybrids and EVs rarely offer manual gearboxes—and by shrinking supplier support for manual hardware, which makes it uneconomical for automakers to maintain separate pedal sets, shifters, and calibration work. The UK’s Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency also enforces a strict separation between automatic and manual driving licenses, meaning automatic-only drivers cannot legally operate a manual car. While enthusiasts can still find a handful of manual models—especially in performance trims—experts warn that the manual is moving from a standard choice to a specialist option. Brands like BMW have acknowledged the challenge, with the company’s performance division questioning the business case for manual transmissions in modern lineups. The trend mirrors similar moves elsewhere, including Volkswagen’s decision to drop the manual option on the Jetta GLI. For drivers who value engagement behind the wheel, the UK is becoming a real-time case study in how quickly manual transmissions are disappearing from dealer stock—and why reversing the trend would require significant intervention.