Yeah the BBC has a mandate that includes some sort of motoring show. It doesn't need to use the Top Gear brand and I think most people have moved on from that format. Have a proper motoring tv series with historical pieces, consumer reviews of cars and bikes, and motor sports coverage. If people want dated comedy they can watch TGT.

The writers did kind of nod to that a few times, like when Lily and Marshal mention how obnoxious Ted was in college and Ted goes into complete denial mode only to eventually realise it was true.

>who just happened to have enough self-awareness to groom himself, hold a conversation, etc. without being instantly repellant to women.

Remember everything is told from Ted's perspective. What you're seeing is Ted's version of events.