How Many Miles Can a Car Last?

Summary

• The top 2 models are Toyota SUVs, with the Sequoia and Land Cruiser both enduring nearly 300,000 miles over the past 20 years
• Toyota dominates the list, with 10 of the top 20 models able to reach over 230,000 miles
• SUVs and trucks are the most common vehicle types to rank high, confirming the long-term, heavy-use value of highly functional and highly flexible vehicles
• Three hybrids, all of them Toyotas (Prius, Highlander, Camry), and two minivans (Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey) also make the top 20

Toyota drivers, along with 3-row SUV and truck drivers, are getting the longest potential lifespan from their vehicles, as confirmed through a new study by automotive research firm and car search engine iSeeCars.com.

iSeeCars analyzed over two million cars produced and sold for at least 10 of the past 20 model years, ranking each model by its highest mileage-achieving cars. All 20 models had at least 2.5 percent of the top-ranking 20 models clear 200,000 miles, and the top 1 percent of these vehicles delivered between 230,000 and 297,000 miles over the last two decades. For example, 1% of Toyota Sequoias on the road have at least 296,509 miles on the odometer.

“What we see is a list of highly-durable vehicles, capable of more than a quarter-million miles of use if properly maintained,” said iSeeCars Executive Analyst Karl Brauer. “And to be clear, this study isn’t reporting the maximum lifespan of these vehicles. This is simply a measure of current odometer readings. Most of these cars are still in use and going strong.”

Top 20 Greatest Potential Lifespan Cars: Toyota 3-Row SUVs lead the pack

Trucks are the second-most common vehicles to achieve over 230,000 miles of potential lifespan. However, despite the dominance of domestic trucks in annual sales volume, Japanese trucks show the greatest lifespan potential, making up four of the five trucks in the top 20. “Trucks also offer a compelling blend of durability and utility, but they aren’t as flexible at hauling both people and cargo as SUVs, resulting in lower use and only half as many trucks making the list,” noted Brauer.

Passenger cars, including the Prius, Avalon, and Camry, earn three slots on the list, while the Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey minivans, two more highly utilitarian vehicles, snag two. “Cars like the Prius and Camry Hybrid offer exceptional fuel economy,” remarked Brauer. “They can save car owners up to $10,000 in fuel costs over the course of 250,000 miles compared to similarly-sized non-hybrid vehicles, making all those miles much easier to afford.” 

Greatest Potential Lifespan SUVs

Greatest Potential Lifespan Pickup Trucks

Greatest Potential Lifespan Minivans

Greatest Potential Lifespan Sedans/Hatchbacks

Greatest Potential Lifespan Hybrids

Greatest Potential Lifespan Electric Cars

How to Extend a Car’s Lifespan?

While nobody can guarantee the lifespan of a specific vehicle, the typical lifespan of a newer car at the top of these lists will almost certainly be longer than vehicles ranked lower. The highest mileage car on record is a 1966 Volvo P1800S, with over 3 million certified miles. That’s obviously an extreme case regarding vehicle life, but everything from driving habits to following the proper maintenance schedule (as outlined in the owner’s manual) will extend a car’s lifespan while reducing long-term wear and tear.

When car shopping for a new or used vehicle, buyers should also remember that, even if they don’t plan on testing a car’s lifespan by hitting the 200,000-plus mile mark, durable and reliable cars also tend to hold their resale value better than the average car. 

If you’re considering a high-mileage vehicle purchase, you’ll want to get a vehicle history report to check for past accidents and identify if any major repairs, including a timing belt replacement or transmission service, have already been performed. A pre-purchase inspection by a certified mechanic can spot underbody grime and corrosion, as well as the status of the car battery, tires, and other parts that commonly wear out. If the check engine light is on, the mechanic can identify the cause and likely provide an estimate to address it.

Methodology

iSeeCars.com analyzed over 2 million used cars on the road between January and October of 2022. The mileage over which the top one percent of cars within each model obtained was calculated and used to rank models. Only models with at least 10 model years of production between 2002 and 2021 (20 model years) and in production as of the 2020 model year were included for further analysis. Heavy duty vehicles were also excluded from further analysis.

About iSeeCars.com