Elections to Manchester City Council were held on Thursday, 8 May 1986.
One third of the council was up for election, with each successful candidate to serve a four-year term of office, expiring in 1990.
The Labour Party retained overall control of the Council.
[1] The Independent candidates for the Benchill and Woodhouse Park wards, A. Bradshaw and D. Wraxall respectively, were backed by the SDP/Liberal Alliance.
After the election, the composition of the council was as follows: