Tesla vs Britain’s scariest junction – can you can guess who wins?

It has been dubbed ‘Britain’s most confusing junction’, thanks to its complex system of mini–roundabouts. 

But while many drivers struggle to navigate their way around Swindon’s Magic Roundabout, the junction proved to be light work for a self–driving car. 

To put its Full Self Driving (FSD) mode to the test, Tesla sent a Model 3 through the complex intersection. 

Footage shows the car expertly navigating the roundabout – not just once, but three times – as cars continuously join from seemingly every direction. 

Fans have flocked to X to discuss the feat, with one calling it ‘superb’. 

‘If I’m ever in the UK for any reason, I’m definitely letting FSD do whatever the hell that mess is I just watched,’ one user wrote.

Another said: ‘Holy moly, I probably would have had a crash already!’

And one joked: ‘Not just a roundabout — a rite of passage for autonomous driving.’ 

Swindon’s Magic Roundabout in Wiltshire has become a well–known tourist destination that has put the town on the map.

But it is also notorious for ‘striking fear into the hearts of motorists for more than 50 years’.

First opening back in 1972, the roundabout is made up of five mini clockwise roundabouts which all circle a larger anti–clockwise roundabout. 

It was voted the country’s fourth scariest junction in 2009 and now even has its own merchandise line with mugs, coasters, calendars and even jigsaws. 

During its latest demonstration, Tesla sent a Model 3 in Full Self–Driving mode through the Magic Roundabout – albeit with a driver behind the wheel in case of an emergency.

‘Full Self–Driving (Supervised) navigated this environment by continuously adjusting to vehicles entering from multiple directions — showcasing its ability to handle unpredictable and high–pressure driving environments,’ Tesla explained. 

‘To really prove the flexibility of Full Self Driving (Supervised) in the infamously confusing scenario, the test vehicle looped back through the Magic Roundabout three times. Just for fun.’

Tesla posted footage of the test to X, where several impressed users have commented. 

‘This is actually pretty satisfying to watch lol,’ one user replied. 

Another said: ‘Wow that route seems way complicated great job FSD.’

And one quipped: ‘My head is spinning after seeing this roundabout!!’

Full Self–Driving (Supervised) allows cars to do everything from steer, change lanes, and park while under active supervision. 

It’s currently available in the US, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico – but Tesla hopes it will come to the UK soon. 

Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said: ‘It is a mistake to think that driverless technology won’t be able to cope with the intricacies and idiosyncrasies of the UK’s roads – hats off to anyone, or anything, that can successfully negotiate the Magic Roundabout.

‘The challenge for the regulatory authorities – and the nagging worry in the minds of potential passengers – is how to be sure that these vehicles can cope in every combination of circumstances they might encounter, including those where the human drivers around them might be less inclined to stick to the rules.

‘The regulatory test self-driving vehicles need to pass is not whether they can cope with our roads on a given day, it is whether they can cope every day in every combination of circumstances they might encounter.’