Used automatic cars for sale

What types of automatic cars are there?

There are a few different types of automatic cars you should consider when looking to buy one. 

> Torque converter automatic – This used to be the most common type of auto, but is now mostly found in luxury cars because they're expensive (although they're also smooth and reliable).

> Dual-clutch (DCT) gearbox – As the name suggests, this gearbox has two clutches – one for the gear driving the car and the other for the gear the gearbox thinks you'll need next – making them super fast and super efficient.

> CVT – Uses a pulley system rather than actual gears, so they're extremely smooth and fuel-efficient because they don't need to physically change year.

> Single-speed automatic gearbox – Found in most electric cars because electric motors work a bit like a dimmer light switch – instantly providing power based on how much you push the pedal (or turn the switch). Some performance EVs, like the Porsche Taycan, have two or more forward gears though.

> Automated manual – These work like a manual gearbox, but the computer changes gear for you, and used to be common in sports cars. You'll find them in some city cars nowadays because they're cheap and fuel-efficient.

Popular automatic cars

Almost every manual car is also available with an automatic gearbox, so finding the right car for you has never been easier. 

Volkswagen automatic cars are some of the best in the business, using the brand’s dual-clutch automatic (called 'DSG' for 'direct-shift gearbox'), which debuted in the 2003 Golf R32 and lives on in popular models such as the Golf, Polo and Tiguan. 

BMW automatic cars are also good, using either a Steptronic (a torque converter automatic) or a DCT (dual-clutch transmission). These can be found in cars from the 3 Series to the 5 Series and beyond. 

Ford automatic cars also offer strong gearboxes that last a long time and are smooth to shift through upwards of seven gears in some instances. Cars with the Powershift dual-clutch gearbox include the Puma, Focus and Kuga. 

What are automatic cars like to drive?

Automatic cars are the easiest type of car to drive, and it’s why lots of people switch from manual to automatic when their lives get busier or they get a bit older. 

Driving an automatic car takes a lot of the stress out of driving and lets you focus on where you’re going instead of worrying about stalling or working out which gear you need to be in on that one tricky roundabout that always catches you out. 

Once you turn the engine on and lift off the brake, most automatic cars will begin to creep forward on their own. And the car will do the hard work of changing gear for you as you get up to speed and slow back down again.

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Automatic or manual?

There’s one main difference between an automatic and a manual, and that’s how many pedals there are in front of you. 

A manual car has three pedals – clutch, brake and accelerator (in that order from left to right), and an automatic car has a brake and an accelerator pedal. 

In the centre of the car where, in a manual, you'd find a gear stick, in an automatic car, it’s usually much smaller and is just used to select ‘D’ for drive, ‘N’ for neutral, ‘R’ for reverse and ‘P’ for park. 

It might also be a little 'switch' or a stalk on the steering column, depending on the car.

Who are automatic cars suitable for?

Automatic cars are suitable for absolutely everyone. Even if you’re old school and like changing gear yourself, there aren’t many nicer feelings than being stuck in traffic and not worrying about cramp in your left leg from constantly changing gear.

Not only that, but it takes a lot of stress of driving. So if you’re a nervous driver, an automatic car can help you focus on the road instead of worrying about which gear you should be in.