Manual or Automatic: Which Transmission Drives Used Cars In Pune?

Manual transmission equipped cars have always dominated the used car market. However, automatic cars are growing at a steady rate. In 2024, automatic transmission cars accounted for 14.7% of the total used car market. Maharashtra has the largest used car market in India accounting for 16.4% of sales across the country. 

Pune significantly contributes to that number, and like the rest of the country, manuals drive the used car sales in the city. That said, automatic cars are gaining popularity in Pune as well. This is due to several factors, chief among them being worsening traffic congestion. Here we take a closer look at how automatic and manual transmissions shape Pune’s used car ecosystem. 

Used Car Transmission Trends in Pune: The Rise Of Automatics

With the information collected from CARS24 sales data and CARS24 Gears of Growth report, we have a clearer picture of Pune’s used car culture. Here’s what we found:

Key Takeaways From The Data

• Pune has a high preference for manual transmission equipped used cars. 
• A key reason is the low buying price point, running costs and maintenance costs of manual cars. 
• However, automatic cars are gaining popularity over time and taking market share from manual car sales. 
• This is due to the convenience offered by automatic cars, especially in a traffic infested city like Pune. 
• Used Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) cars are being preferred thanks to its low price point, better fuel efficiency and affordable maintenance. 

Do Transmission Types Affect Resale Value In Pune?

Transmission preferences are one of the major buying factors when purchasing a used car. Many factors define these preferences, such as affordability, running and maintenance costs, comfort and ease of driving. Both new and used cars in Pune have buyers factoring these points before purchase. 

• Manual transmission equipped cars have a high demand in Pune’s used car market ensuring high resale values. 
• Manual cars are more preferred thanks to their low price point, low maintenance, better fuel efficiency and overall reliability. 
• Automatic cars are gaining popularity as well thanks to buyers considering comfort and ease of driving for a city like Pune. 
• Also, AMT transmission equipped cars offer the same and in some cases, better fuel efficiency than comparable manual transmission equipped cars. 

Fuel Types and Transmission Types: The Correlation

Petrol and diesel powered cars primarily offer the option of manual and automatic transmissions. The type of gearbox is not exclusive to a particular fuel type. Manufacturers primarily offer CNG cars with manual transmissions with just a handful of cars being offered with an automatic. Therefore, currently, there is no market for a used automatic CNG car. 

Petrol:

A majority of used petrol cars in Pune are equipped with manual transmissions. That said, the demand for automatic petrol cars in Pune is gradually rising. The deteriorating traffic situation in Pune can be attributed to this. 

Diesel: 

Like petrol, manual transmission equipped cars enjoy an overwhelming majority of used car sales in Pune. Hower automatic diesels are gaining popularity as well. 

Body Types and Transmission Types: The Correlation

Pune’s narrow roads and heavy traffic have led to hatchbacks being the most popular body styles in Pune, followed by sedans and SUVs. 

Hatchbacks: 

Manual transmission equipped petrol hatchbacks are the most popular used vehicles in Pune. Many people prefer the body type for its compact footprint that helps them navigate Pune’s narrow roads, while others favour the manual for its low running costs. Automatic hatchbacks are fewer as there are negligible diesel and CNG powered automatic hatchbacks on sale. 

Sedans:

While a majority of used sedans in Pune feature manual transmissions, there is a steady demand for automatic sedans. This is due to sedan buyers who prioritise comfort and ease of driving. Also compared to hatchbacks, sedans have a higher number of automatic diesel engine options while the demand for CNG cars is quite low. . 

SUVs:

While diesel manual engines dominate the used SUV market in Pune, the city witnessed petrol SUVs overtaking diesel SUVs in 2024. This year also saw a marked increase in the number of automatic transmission equipped SUVs. 

Reasons Behind Used Manual Transmission Vehicles Being More Popular in Pune?

Used manual cars in Pune are popular for a number of reasons. Here are some of the important ones:

• The most important reason for buying a used manual car is the low initial buying price and running costs.
• They are more reliable owing to simpler moving parts besides being cheaper to maintain. 
• Manual cars have a slower rate of depreciation and offer better resale value. 
• Manual cars offer more fuel options, such as petrol, diesel, and CNG. 

Should You Opt for an Automatic Transmission?

The benefit of an automatic transmission equipped vehicle is the ease of driving, with no clutch pedal to worry about. Automatic cars are more comfortable to drive as well, especially in start-stop traffic conditions. 

The disadvantages, however, include higher initial price point and increased running costs. While manual cars offer better fuel efficiency, modern automatics offer almost similar mileage and in the case of some AMTs even better fuel efficiency than manuals. An automatic car makes the most sense if city driving is your primary objective. 

Most Popular Used Cars in Pune, Transmission Wise:

While Pune has a high percentage of used manual cars, the demand for used automatic cars is steadily rising, especially in the 

case of used SUVs. The Maruti Suzuki Wagon R is the most popular used manual transmission equipped car in Pune while the Honda City is the best selling used car with an automatic gearbox. 

Manual Cars:

Given Pune’s narrow roads and limited parking spaces, used car buyers prefer manual hatchbacks. Three of the five vehicles in this list are hatchbacks while the other two are sedans. Another notable observation is Pune's preference for Maruti Suzuki vehicles. 

Automatic Cars:

In terms of second hand automatic cars, buyers in Pune do not mind shelling out extra premium. You can see this in the best selling automatic cars like the Honda City, Hyundai Creta and Hyundai Verna. The Maruti Suzuki Celerio and Hyundai i10 round off the practical side of the list. 

Used car buyers in Pune are an evolved lot with practicality being one of the major buying factors. Pune’s narrow roads and heavy traffic show a preference for not just manual but automatic hatchbacks as well. 

Conclusion:

While drivers prefer manual cars over automatics because they offer more fuel efficiency and responsiveness, modern automatics have overcome these hurdles. Owing to increasing traffic in Pune, both new and used car  buyers are gradually shifting towards automatic cars, preferring them over manuals. 

That said, the practicality, low initial pricing, low running costs and vast inventory of second hand manual cars make them the most popular among used car buyers. While automatic cars are slowly catching up, manual cars will continue to dominate the used car ecosystem in Pune and India for a long time.