Manual Transmissions Remain Dominant in India's Used‑Car Market

A Cars24 and Team‑BHP "Gears of Growth 2025" report shows that manual‑gear cars continue to lead India’s used‑car market. Manual vehicles account for the majority of transactions, while automatics have reached only about 28% of used‑car sales on the platform.

Buyer preferences vary: under‑35s lean toward automatics, ages 35‑45 are split, and those over 45 strongly favor manuals. Women buyers show a higher inclination for automatics, and metro cities such as Bengaluru and Mumbai exhibit a larger automatic share, whereas non‑metro areas remain manual‑heavy.

The report cites three main factors keeping manuals ahead – lower purchase and maintenance costs, driver familiarity, and stronger resale value across a wide range of towns and cities. Popular models include the Maruti Swift Dzire and Hyundai i10 in non‑metro markets, and the Maruti Baleno and Honda City in metros.