There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that Top Gear has become the UK’s favoured car show. Over two million viewers watch the show regularly as Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May entertain viewers with their humour, knowledge and hilarious challenges. But when it comes to the question on whether they actually influence car sales, you have to look closely at the programme and the buyers habits.

Top Gear is a show that offers valuable information for vehicle enthusiasts, they talk about certain vehicles features and give their own impression on the vehicle. Often their feeling about a vehicle may be completely different from someone who already owns one, someone purchasing a new vehicle cannot depend on Top Gear alone to make their decision.

Purchasing a vehicle is a large financial expense and most people, even the Top Gear enthusiasts, will do their own research and test drive the vehicles themselves before making any decisions.

While Top Gear has become a household name and watching The Stig fly around a track testing vehicles, it is not the show alone that will influence someone to go out and buy a new car.

You probably find that car manufacturers do fear what the three presenters will say about their vehicles on the show, because of how many people watch. But even the viewers have their own opinions and we all know that in some cases the Jeremy, Richard and James can be wrong about certain vehicles.

Top Gear has grown exponentially, besides the show they also have their own magazines and DVD’s. This being said, there is no proof that this one BBC show has an impact on the vehicles we buy on a daily basis.

Many vehicles are purchased according to available budget, design and features. Whether someone is looking for a small and affordable city vehicle or a large vehicle for the country lanes, their decision will most likely be based on their available cash and the car they like the look of with Top Gear not really having any influence over their decision in the end.

Top Gear fans here in the UK enjoy the show more for the entertainment factor. In the end it’s the purchaser who influences the car sales and not Top Gear.