The original Top Gear Stig, Perry McCarthy, says subscription models could be the future of cars
Perry McCarthy, based in Billericay, says driver's expectations have changed
Last updated 28th Nov 2025
The original Stig from Top Gear says that driver's wants are changing when looking at vehicle ownership.
New research suggests that 60% of people would try a "Netflix-style" car subscription, as the number of UK adults owning cars has dropped by over 10% in the last 15 years.
The SIXT’s Mobility Study shows that car ownership tendencies are changing. For non-car owners, cost is a major roadblock (40%), while another 25% say long term maintenance puts them off entirely.
Perry recognised this, saying cars can cost "an absolute fortune."
He said that some, like himself, really like cars, and will look to buy one as a priority, whereas for others it is just something necessary for their life.
He says that for most drivers subscription models could be the future.
"Fewer people are buying cars, but the historic model of buying and owning car, that's kind of changing with people's own needs.
"There's so many people actually worried about the cost of owning a car, running a car, and I get that, I really do.
"It's really expensive. You've got something sitting on the driveway and its costing a fortune depreciating like mad. You're the one who's got to have it serviced, you've got to have the tyres changed, you've got to have it parked somewhere. All of those things cost money and all those things don't necessarily fit.
"There's a lot of people like me that love their cars, and you love the heritage, and love the styling and everything else. But there is an awful lot of other people who just go 'Well it's kind of more like a work donkey for me'.
"And obviously my background as a driver, as a racing driver, The Stig and all that kind of stuff, you'd think I'd never be saying this kind of stuff, but I get it. It's all about options, it really is.
"I'm not out to change anybody's major opinion, for some they are a petrol-head and they love their cars and that's fine."