What's the difference between automatic and manual cars?

Automatic cars have a couple of key differences from manual cars. Most obviously, automatic cars don't have a clutch pedal. Automatic cars also come with a simplified gearbox that will change gears for you and decide when you shift gear. With a manual car and gearbox, you must shift gears yourself using the clutch and gearstick. Manual cars tend to be cheaper than automatic though, and the higher costs can extend to repairs.

Is an automatic car easy to drive?

Automatic cars tend to offer a simpler driving experience. Whether it's easier than manual depends on what you're used to and your personal preference. Manual cars come with five or six gears (plus reverse) – which offers greater control but also requires more work. Automatic cars have simplified gearboxes that usually come with four modes: Park (P) Drive (D) Reverse (R) Neutral (N) Essentially, you just need to move the selector from park (P) to drive (D) to set off, then use R and N accordingly. The car will choose the right gear based on your speed and the road conditions.

Why choose automatic cars?

Automatic cars are usually preferred by drivers who struggle with the gearstick, or drivers with physical restrictions that mean they need a modified car. Automatic cars can also be popular among city and motorway drivers. When stuck in heavy traffic, not having to repeatedly use the clutch and gearstick can help reduce driver fatigue. When driving on the motorway, automatic gear changing can also help reduce fuel consumption by offering a smoother ride.

Can I drive an automatic car on my licence?

You can drive an automatic car using a full UK manual driver's licence, but not vice versa. If you learned to drive in an automatic car and have an automatic driver's licence, you'll have to take another driving test and get a full manual licence to drive a manual car.

Automatic Cars for Sale

With 260,957 used Automatic cars available on Autotrader, we have the largest range of cars for sale available across the UK.

Search 260,957 cars

Used cars available to reserve

Carousel slide 1

Carousel slide 2

Carousel slide 3

Carousel slide 4

Reserve today with Autotrader

Do more online and reserve your car when you're ready. You'll also be able to add finance or part exchange to your order.

Used vehicles

Carousel slide 1

MINI Hatch

1.6 Cooper CVT Euro 4 3dr

£500

4 seats
3 doors
Hatchback
Petrol
Automatic
1.6 litres

Carousel slide 2

Jaguar XF

3.0d S V6 Portfolio Auto Euro 5 (s/s) 4dr

£1,800

5 seats
4 doors
Saloon
Diesel
Automatic
3.0 litres

Carousel slide 3

BMW 3 Series

3.0 325i SE Steptronic Euro 4 2dr

£2,995

4 seats
2 doors
Convertible
Petrol
Automatic
3.0 litres

Carousel slide 4

Renault Grand Scenic

1.5 dCi Dynamique TomTom EDC Euro 5 5dr

£2,500

Lower price

7 seats
5 doors
MPV
Diesel
Automatic
1.5 litres

New vehicles

Carousel slide 1

Vauxhall Corsa

1.2 Turbo Yes Auto Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

MRRP

Manufacturer's Recommended Retail Price

£20,590

Now

£15,490

Save

£5,100

Video

Carousel slide 2

Dacia Spring

100 24.3kWh EXTREME Auto 5dr

MRRP

Manufacturer's Recommended Retail Price

£13,640

Now

£11,799

Save

£1,841

Carousel slide 3

Honda Super-N

29.6kWh Advance Auto 5dr

£19,760

Video

Carousel slide 4

CUPRA Raval

52kWh V1 Auto 5dr

MRRP

Manufacturer's Recommended Retail Price

£29,995

Now

£27,995

Save

£2,000

Leasing

Carousel slide 1

BYD Seal

82.5kWh Design Auto 4dr

From

£301

Per month (inc. VAT)

£3,612 initial payment

36 month contract

5,000 miles p/a

5 seats
4 doors
Saloon
Electric
Automatic
354 miles

Carousel slide 2

Hyundai KONA

1.6 h-GDi N Line DCT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

From

£191

Per month (inc. VAT)

£2,283 initial payment

24 month contract

5,000 miles p/a

5 seats
5 doors
SUV
Hybrid
Automatic
1.6 litres

Carousel slide 3

JAECOO 7

1.5T SHS 18.3kWh Luxury Auto Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

From

£301

Per month (inc. VAT)

£3,601 initial payment

36 month contract

5,000 miles p/a

5 seats
5 doors
SUV
Hybrid
Automatic
1.5 litres

Carousel slide 4

Peugeot 3008

1.2 Allure Premium e-DSC Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

From

£237

Per month (inc. VAT)

£2,833 initial payment

36 month contract

5,000 miles p/a

5 seats
5 doors
SUV
Hybrid
Automatic
1.2 litres

Our latest articles

Expert Review

Denza Z (2026 – ) review

A quick go in China’s 1,600hp sports car on track – what’s it like?

Published Yesterday

Best Of

Best small SUVs 2026

Compact crossovers and SUVs are all the rage at the moment - here are the best ones on sale right now.

Published 2 days ago

Expert Review

Audi Q4 e-tron (2026 - ) review

Mild updates and tweaked looks sharpen up Audi’s mid-size electric SUV

Published 2 days ago

Best Of

Here are the best family SUVs in 2026

Looking for a new family SUV? There are a baffling array to choose from, so here's a place to start...

Published 2 days ago

Your questions answered

Automatic cars have a couple of key differences from manual cars. Most obviously, automatic cars don't have a clutch pedal. Automatic cars also come with a simplified gearbox that will change gears for you and decide when you shift gear. With a manual car and gearbox, you must shift gears yourself using the clutch and gearstick. Manual cars tend to be cheaper than automatic though, and the higher costs can extend to repairs.
Automatic cars tend to offer a simpler driving experience. Whether it's easier than manual depends on what you're used to and your personal preference. Manual cars come with five or six gears (plus reverse) – which offers greater control but also requires more work. Automatic cars have simplified gearboxes that usually come with four modes:
- Park (P)
- Drive (D)
- Reverse (R)
- Neutral (N)
Essentially, you just need to move the selector from park (P) to drive (D) to set off, then use R and N accordingly. The car will choose the right gear based on your speed and the road conditions.
Automatic cars are usually preferred by drivers who struggle with the gearstick, or drivers with physical restrictions that mean they need a modified car. Automatic cars can also be popular among city and motorway drivers. When stuck in heavy traffic, not having to repeatedly use the clutch and gearstick can help reduce driver fatigue. When driving on the motorway, automatic gear changing can also help reduce fuel consumption by offering a smoother ride.

Automatic Cars for Sale