The Old Stig Reveals His WORST MOMENT From Top Gear 

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Can confirm my name isnt sponge 🤣

16:38 I know how he feels, I'm such a big fan of Ben Collins I can quote all the STIG's lines from Top Gear

In the US, the MOT is what we call DOT (Department of Transport) and we have DOT inspections. Rules on what passes/fails depends entirely on state legislation. The north east (massachusetts for example) will have emissions, suspension, frame, CEL, tires, etc. checks for road worthiness, pretty similar to normal MOT. In Florida, if it has a VIN, enough wheels to balance in motion, it is road legal. And if it the car shaped object develops more than 5 BHP, you can take it on the highway. in FL there are no formal inspections, only if the DMV doesn't believe your car actually exists, they will send a cop to confirm that the car exists. (Source: I live in FL)

I never knew Mike used to work for Car Throttle. It seems a lot of the best UK based motoring shows RU-vid has to offer are staffed by ex-CT employees.

Would love to see that road trip in the style of old Top gear

Mad respect for Ben Collins. He could drive anything.

In Canada you need a Safety Standards Certificate , it varies slightly in each Province but essentially the same . Its a very extensive 100 page document , They not only inspect many items but also take apart and measure things like brakes . New changes will also require a video to be taken of each vehicle by the inspecting mechanic .

In the US, vehicle inspection requirements varies by state. For instance, Virginia requires yearly inspections and Oregon doesn't require any. Subjectively, I saw way more cars abandoned on the side of the road with a wheel fallen off in Oregon than I see in Virginia.

Oklahoma has no vehicle requirements or inspections. Just a registration tax each year.

You'll never break your thumbs on a track but off roading, like navigating pothole Britain and your thumbs are going to be history.

These 2 together...funny as. Keep it up guys

As far as vehicle inspections go here in the States, there is no MOT equivalent. The laws are on a state by state basis, so some states require vehicle/emissions testing, others don’t

Stig was something like a hero for me when i were young. I love this man

When I learned to drive in the early '90s, I was taught 10-2 and thumbs outside the wheel. I've since changed to 9-3 after doing an advanced driver training course about 10 years ago, but I still keep my thumbs outside the wheel.

Stig, to me, is the full bollocks! He's the one I would like to hang out with, a guy who is a professional driver and knows a thing or two about cars.

Re an MOT: depends on what state you're in. Here in VA they're less strict than other places, but more strict than places like CA where there's not much in the way of inspections. See Roadkill for examples of CA cars that wouldn't be on the road here in VA. Judging by this channel and watching TG and GT an MOT is thorough. I haven't had that much in the way of an inspection anywhere I've lived in the US and I've lived a fair few places now.

You should drive through Death Valley. In Summer. In 40c heat... Only to notice that you're *extremely* low on fuel, and the only petrol station is on the other side of the road and there's no way to get to it. That... That makes you pucker. Also, take a family SUV (US size, so...) up to Yosemite and, um, 'enjoy' the twisty roads. Only to find two weeks later a little sticker that reads (short version) "Vehicle may tip upon cornering". Cue delayed puckering,

In Illinois we have emission testing but no mechanical worthiness inspection. As long as your emission controls are still in place, they don’t care if your wheels are about to fall off.

New car show, Clarkson, Hammond, May, Collins and Mike doing a special episode. Maybe a cheap car challenge purely for fun. I reckon the old school/pro/entertainment dynamic would be epic!

Depending on what sate you live in, it would be an inspection sticker. This can range from stringent noise and emissions checks, roadworthyness, headlamp alignment etc to "honk the horn and turn on your blinkers... yep you passed, that's $20".

Depends on the state for inspections. Even in some states, it can vary by where you are within the state. For instance, in AZ, if you live in Maricopa County or in Tucson, you need to pass emissions testing, but anywhere else in the state, you just need to pay your registration fees (taxes) and that is it.

I drove my B7 S4 Cabriolet from Abilene TX to Jackson CA and back a few months ago, which was 3,000 miles total. It was a decent trip down, except for the slow trucks in the way, but the difference in roads and scenery along the Northern route was very diverse. I had to pick up what I left in storage and close out the unit, but not wanting to leave my car loaded with things at a Hotel, I drove back in one shot, which took 26 hours including stops. That was brutal.

Vehicle inspections are generally mandated and controlled at the state level and not the federal level. Therefore each state will have a different standard test and test frequency. Pennsylvania is very strict, almost German level strict, due to some differences with the Federal government in the past. Part of the resolution of this was a strict vehicle test. New Jersey which is a neighboring state used to have a strict test but now it is much looser in some aspects of the test standard (except emissions). If you want a cross-country road trip it pays to choose your starting state quite carefully.

Is Ben finally going to reset the all time Dunsfold record?... It'll have to best the Caparo T1, if memory serves.

Inspection requirements vary by state. In Georgia for example the only an inspection an emissions test. If it passes emissions you can drive any old deathtrap on the road.

In the United States, each state has different standards for vehicle inspection. When I lived in North Carolina, it was somewhat similar to what I've seen of MOT inspections. On the other hand, Georgia hasn't had vehicle inspections since 1982.

In response to your last question regarding MOT (or whatever you call it) in the US, I'm a native southern Californian and my first vehicle I bought when I was 18 was a '79 Chevy LUV from a used car dealership with a smashed front fender. I drove it like that for maybe a year before I bought a new fender and put it on my self after straightening the chasis by attaching a chain to the area I needed pulled out and the other end to a light post and backed away from the light post until it was straight enough for the new fender. It worked perfectly. When cars were made more with metal than plastic, you used to see a lot more crumpled cars driving around. Now you see more plastic bumpers dangling and flopping around on the freeways.

Imagine getting to send weird memes to The Stig...so lucky Mike 😂

Make that roadtrip happen. Something silly like kei-car sports cars across the desert and/or canyon, the sheer scale difference would be amazing.

That was awesome and raw. Great stuff.

You've got to drive highway 191 from the MX border to the CA border, it's the most scenic single highway (where you're on the same numbered route from start to finish) in the USA.

Some states have safety and emissions inspections for road use but not all!

Several people have noted that car inspections in the USA are handled at the state level. However there are federal laws that prohibit certain modifications (e.g. removal of catalytic converters). Most people who modify cars tend to ignore those federal laws as it isn't a priority for federal law enforcement. However, if you are found to have violated federal law - there can be other consequences, for example in the case of an accident where you've illegally modified your car, your insurance company can deny you coverage.

You and Ben NEED to do this US road trip man!

NC inspection is basically does it have all lights functional, horn, window tint isn't too dark, no check engine codes for emissions, and the emissions aren't tampered with... Or if you know someone to just submit the form.

I live in a moderately small town in Utah and as long as the car has a title, is running, and you have $90 to register it you can take it almost anywhere.

Llandow circuit in South Wales is a great track for your first track day. I've seen cars range from a diesel Peugeot 307 to a Revolution Race car go round. Chris Harris it a lot and Ive met Hammond and Mike there , when testing the MGB from Hammonds workshop

i don't know what an MOT is. but i'm an american who owns 3 vehicles. the only requirements for being on the road is passing an emissions inspection once a year and paying your yearly registration fee(tax). there used to be a yearly safety inspection where they check the whole thing over, check wipers, lights, brakes, bearings, etc to make sure you're road safe, but they did away with it in my state. (utah) other states may be less relaxed.

The "MOT" is not mandatory in all states, but there are quite a few east coast states that require inspections, so theoretically you could start in say, New York with inspected vehicles and take them wherever you want.

I’ve met Mike and he’s a great guy to talk with, got to meet him at Shedfest and would love to meet Ben and Richard, hoping soon.

Love both you guys and what you can do with 4 wheels. Hearing Ben talk about going from Cali to Moab got me thinking...let's do Moab on 2 wheels! Open invite to tour Moab or Green River on dirt bikes.

MOT( Ministry of Transport) in UK, DOT(Department of Transportation) in USA

Most states have a state inspection, but it differs state from state

You should all do an American road trip like Ben said would be so cool to watch. 👍👍👍👍

On the point of thumbs in steering wheels, drifting (tandems really) you can get that contact that rips the wheel out of your hands.

No MOT, but some states require an emissions test. In certain situations where the registration is being transferred from one state to another, a visual inspection is required by that state’s Department of Motor vehicles. It’s more of a state by state regulation.

I was always told that the ten-to-two hand position was to give you a little more leverage, back when even large cars usually didn't have power steering. But today, when virtually everything has power standard - and has air bags, so you'd probably best not have your forearm between it and your face too often - the 9 and 3 positions make a lot more sense. And coincidentally (or maybe not?) modern steering wheels usually have the spokes and grips positioned so that 9 and 3 with your thumbs tucked in just above the spokes is the more comfortable position anyway.

MOT really is a thing in the states but it’s very dependent on which state you’re in. Here in Florida if you said MOT, you’d be stared at like you had 3 heads! 😂

In the US, it’s called the Department of Motor Vehicles or DMV in many states.

21:23 This varies by state. My home state had inspections every two years and at time of sale, while my current state has no inspections and just lets everyone drive what they want in whatever condition they feel like. It's really sketchy sometimes.

MOT.... I assume will be the DMV in USA. Each state varies on their auto laws

Ben and Mike. You need to come over to the States and do a Cannon Ball run. It would be fantastic for the Stig to have a New York to LA record!

We have a form of "mot" in Maine and it's quite strict. Mostly because the calcium on the road in the winter causes severe rust in just a couple years

Will they be selling the V10 when it’s done?

I know quite a few well known people in equine world, olympic medallists, top jockeys and trainers in racing. I was in awe when i first met them, but got to know them well, and we'll always stop for a chat when we meet. Makes me laugh more, when i mention i know them and people are like wow, what are they like etc. Also youtubers getting all hyper when they see them doing something, or people interrupting when youre chatting. I always say dont be too dramatic, but if theyre on their own and dont look too busy, have a chat they're normal people. Most celebrities ive met and dealt with are very down to earth, and not prima donnas. Exception was Jenny Bond lol.

"The Glasgow kiss" for a headbutt is an amazing name!

I moved from the UK to the US in 2022. I can confirm that most states don't have an MOT. So there are tons of cars with completely rusted sills, even the floor is rusted through, or they've been in a massive crash and have no front end left but are still on the road. ALSOOOO the used car market here in the US is much much stronger than in the UK so I don't think you'd really find anything that's capable of driving more than a few hundred yards for less than $1000

ok...now you guys have to do that USA road trip!!!

Each state in the US is different. Most states don't do any inspections on a car that is already registered in that state. In my state, Kansas, a vehicle is only inspected if you are registering a car that was brought in from out of state. Even then, it is nothing compared to what gets checked in the UK. Like I said, every state is different though.

woo ben and mike

No US MOT, but there are regulations by state that vary. Alabama is cool for at least the fact that there are very few rules if your registration is up to date. 😜

actually the shuffle (and thumbs) is recent for airbag safety (something normal race cars don't have)

New DriveTribe car must be a 1976 Olds Delta88. I've never seen anything that could corner so poorly.

Each state in the US is responsible for their road laws. Each state regulates the certifying of a vehicle once it meets the US government DOT requirements. As an example, some states require a safety inspection when a vehicle transfers into the state and a new title is requested. Some states require a yearly emissions check. Some states don't require very much at all.

Wish you guys could get Viki, Tiff or Quentin on this channel for an interview/drive.

I can envision a TV car show with Furnie, Ben and Hammond. I reckon that would be very watchable.

In the US states i've lived in, specifically California, Arizona, and Oregon, you only need to get your car inspected when you register it, or after it's been in a sufficiently bad insurance claimed accident.

Texas does emissions, but that varies by county. If your vehicle is over 24 years old, emissions test isn't required, only a safety inspection and at most they'll just check that your lights work and that's about it.

Nothing close to MOT here in the States that I know of. Hawaii has sort of one. Here in California all we have is smog check. I think New York has some sort of inspection too.

"Why do you love buying sheds?!" 😂

Like everything in the USA, the inspection rules vary by state. Some have a safety inspection, some just have an emissions inspection, and some states just don't care as long as you pay your registration bill.

Ben is like the Gordon Ramsay of cars

I was sad when the top gear boys went to blue ridge parkway and were sad because you couldn't go fast when they were SOOO close to Deals Gap and the Tail of the Dragon where the bends are so tight that they are fun at the speed limit.... or slightly above...

Was told when i learnt to drive (about 4 years ago) thar the thumbs out thing was so they didn't get blown off if they steering wheel sirbag goes odf

Each state has different regulations

Great stuff again 👍

Ben should do powerlap in the P50

There is rust inspection on the east coast

"Only in Norway"!.. Yes, hello there Ben, from Norway. You're not wrong.😅

Some states have safety tests, the US as a whole does not have a safety inspection.

I’d be interested to see a Stig trio take on some kind of challenge. Perry, Ben and whoever the 3rd one was. The current guy playing stig can’t be the same as the 3rd one nowadays, his body shape and driving style look different.

No MOT on a federal level. However registration requirements vary from state to state. California only has smog tests, but other states may have a "safety inspection" of some sort. This can mean structural and brake/suspension tests, but is typically much easier to pass than MOT. But $1000 won't buy much here since inflation is so high. Maybe $2500 or so would be more reasonable without changing the essence of the challenge.

Also Drivetribe should come to NC and do the tail of the dragon

Many American states have mandatory state safety and emission inspections in order to put a car on the road.

Ben would be great presenter. I love listening him talk about things.

Vehicle inspections are a thing in the US but we have no centralized national MOT program. Vehicle inspection requirements depend on the state you're in as every state's Department of Motor Vehicles are different. Vehicle registration itself happens at a state level in the US rather than a national level, which is why all of our license plates are different from state to state for example. Where I'm from a vehicle only needs a safety inspection every time the title/registration transfers owners, and the only regular inspection is an emissions test every 3 or so years. Some states do require a safety inspection every few years, and some states don't inspect at all! It's not uncommon for rusty or bashed up cars to be sold out of a state where they won't pass inspection anymore into a state that doesn't have one where the car then drives until it falls apart.

There's no American MOT equivalent. It's all state by state. More populous states and probably rustier states are more likely to have required inspections of some type. I'm in New Mexico and there is absolutely no inspection requirement except in the most populous county and that is just a smog check.

Inspections of the brakes, suspension, and safety equipment in America vary state to state. But usually they are only required when you buy or sell a vehicle. Every two years most states require an emissions tests which consists of an OBD test to make sure the emission system isn't bypassed. The most strict of the states is California but even their inspections are not as in depth as a European or UK MOT. The most lenient of states, Pennsylvania and Florida, as long as the engine runs its road worthy. I wish they would implement MOT style inspections in America. The roads would be much safer!

I emailed once asking if Stig could do a lap blindfolded,,llike the blind man, in the early days of TG but never got any response. Would love to have seen that.

The Stig Ken's aye.

"MOT in America?" Depends on the state you are in, but mostly "road-worthy" is discretionary to the bravery of the driver and the leniency of the local PD. Other than that there are a few states that will Smog test the car. -- FLORIDA - my home state, it's mostly a free-for-all.

Some states have safety inspections, but mostly in the US it’s just emissions testing. Definitely a lot of sketchy old cars/trucks on the road.

TLDR: The further you get from major cities, the more limited the scope of vehicle safety inspection requirements. And it varies from state/county to state/county. Would be somewhat comparable to individual EU countries within the EU, if a bit oversimplified. Our equivalent MOT is up to the individual states themselves, state safety inspections, but in some states the rules can vary even from county to county (state-level), in how stringent they want to be. There is significantly less mandate for our DOT (that's federal level, safety codes all 50 must comply with) but are much more broad, and isn't limited to just road vehicles.

Ben "crashed" a McLaren 720S at a rural race track in central Britain... it was Mat Armstrong's rebuilt, crash damaged McLaren.

My understanding as a Brit is that certain States in the USA do safety inspections annually whilst other states don't? It's down to the car owner to ensure their vehicle is road worthy?

In Michigan there are basically no tests … oh and Helmets are optional …

Quick, grab a P1 918 and LaFerrari and let’s see finally which one was faster around the track ha

Here in the usa’s top hat its referred to as a safety in some parts. You only need to get it “safetied” once at the beginning of your ownership of said vehicle in order to get it insured. After that its up to you to do what you want with it. The only exception to that is vehicles weighing over 10000lbs as they need a full safety every year mainly to fully check everything to do with brakes. As you dont want massive trucks smashing through a whole bunch of cars at a red light.

In the Seattle, Washington area you have to have an emissions test to make sure you're not polluting. Otherwise, as long as your head/brake/tail/indicator lights are working and roughly the right colors, and you have current license plates, you can drive darned near anything without getting pulled over. The only aftermarket stuff I can think of that a cop will get irritable about is having overly dark window tint or a loud exhaust.