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Top 10 Wild and Random Car Facts You (Might) Not Know

Cars are an integral part of daily life for many, but they’re also full of surprising details. Here are 10 fun and unexpected facts about cars, ranging from historical curiosities to technological quirks. Perfect for the next time you want to impress at the gas station conversation.

Mikkel Preisler
By Mikkel Preisler 22. May 2025

Cars are an integral part of daily life for many, but they’re also full of surprising details. Here are 10 fun and unexpected facts about cars, ranging from historical curiosities to technological quirks. Perfect for the next time you want to impress at the gas station conversation.

#10: The First Car Was Electric

Although we associate electric cars with modern innovation today, many of the first cars were actually electric. As early as the 19th century, some of the earliest prototypes ran on batteries—well before the gasoline engine took over.

#9: The World’s Fastest Speeding Ticket Was Issued to a Koenigsegg

In Texas, a Koenigsegg CCR was reportedly clocked at over 242 mph on a public road. It is one of the highest speeds anyone has ever been ticketed for—and considerably more costly than a regular parking ticket!

#8: The Longest Car in the World Comes with a Jacuzzi

A Cadillac limousine from the 1980s was transformed to measure over 100 feet. It features a jacuzzi, helipad, and even a mini-golf course—and yes, it can still drive (albeit with difficulty).

#7: F1 Cars Can Drive on Walls (Theoretically)

Formula 1 cars produce so much downward force through their aerodynamics that, in theory, they could drive vertically up a wall—if they hit it fast enough. This is due to the extreme “downforce.”

#6: A Car is Made Up of About 30,000 Parts

Everything from the engine and gearbox to tiny screws and electronics—the average car comprises up to 30,000 individual components. No wonder mechanic bills add up quickly!

#5: Toyota is the World’s Largest Car Manufacturer

Despite competition from brands like Volkswagen and Ford, Toyota has often been named the world’s largest car manufacturer by sales. The brand is known for reliability and efficient production.

#4: The First Car Accident Happened in 1891

The first recorded car accident occurred in Ohio, USA, where one of the early drivers struck a tree. Considering there were almost no cars back then, it’s a bit impressive—and quite ironic.

#3: Mercedes Made the World’s First Car with an Airbag

In 1981, Mercedes-Benz introduced the first car with an integrated airbag—its S-Class. Today, airbags are mandatory in most countries and have saved millions of lives.

#2: A Diesel Engine Can Run on Cooking Oil

Many older diesel engines can technically run on used cooking oil from fast-food restaurants—if it is properly filtered. It smells a bit like fries, but it actually works.

#1: Bugatti Veyron Drains the Tank in Under 10 Minutes at Top Speed

When a Bugatti Veyron hits its top speed of over 248 mph, it consumes so much fuel that its 100-liter tank drains in less than 10 minutes. That’s extreme speed—with extreme thirst.

Our team may have used AI to assist in the creation of this content, which has been reviewed by our editors.