How Many Miles Can A Car Last (2024)

It's difficult to determine which cars last the longest, as there aren't many available statistics, and it would be almost impossible for a study to control factors like routine maintenance and driving style. Therefore, we've taken a pragmatic approach and created the following list based on a study of the top 16 vehicles with more than 200,000 miles. This study by iSeeCars looked at more than 10 million vehicles to find those that vaulted past 200,000 miles with the greatest consistency.

1. Toyota Land Cruiser

Percentage of vehicles over 200,000 miles: 16.3%

MPG: 13 city | 17 highway

Drivetrain: 4-wheel drive

The Land Cruiser hasn't exactly been a darling in the U.S. auto market, but it's a beloved favorite in developing countries that lack good road systems. This is thanks to the high-grade steel used in manufacturing and precise, small-batch production techniques that Toyota puts into the vehicle. It's designed to last decades handling rugged off-road driving, and this shows in the number of Land Cruisers on the road with more than 200,000 miles.

2. Toyota Sequoia

Percentage of vehicles over 200,000 miles: 11.2%

MPG: 13 city | 17 highway

Drivetrain: 4-wheel drive | Rear-wheel drive

While the Land Cruiser takes the top spot, Toyota's reputation for making rugged, reliable vehicles doesn't stop there. Like the Land Cruiser, the Toyota Sequoia is a truck-based, body-on-frame SUV with a separated chassis that lends itself to a high level of durability.

3. Chevrolet Suburban

Percentage of vehicles over 200,000 miles: 5.1%

MPG: 15 city | 19 highway

Drivetrain: 4-wheel drive | Rear-wheel drive

The Chevrolet Suburban is another reliable, full-size sport utility vehicle (SUV). Compared to the prior-listed Toyota SUVs, this vehicle makes it to 200,000 much less often, but 5.1% is still an incredible figure that is five times greater than the average for all cars. It's helped by a durable design that can prevent issues like rust and major repairs for 6 – 10 years, and a strict adherence to good maintenance can take it much further.

4. Ford Expedition

Percentage of vehicles over 200,000 miles: 4.9%

MPG: 17 city | 23 highway

Drivetrain: 4-wheel drive | Rear-wheel drive

The Ford Expedition has a sound, reliable design that can easily carry it to 150,000 miles and beyond. While the Expedition may begin developing serious wear at 150,000 miles, routine maintenance and good driving practices can see it reach the 200,000-mile mark.

5. Toyota 4Runner

Percentage of vehicles over 200,000 miles: 4.1%

Honorable Mentions

The following vehicles deserve an honorable mention for their longevity and reliability. Interestingly, truck-based SUVs are the most consistently reliable vehicles and make up most of the list. The Prius stands out as a notable exception, as it's a hybrid car that boasts excellent longevity.

As an automotive enthusiast with a deep understanding of vehicle durability and reliability, I've delved into various studies and first-hand experiences to bring you insights into the longevity of cars, a complex topic often challenging to quantify. One notable study that adds credibility to our discussion is the comprehensive analysis conducted by iSeeCars, examining over 10 million vehicles to identify those surpassing the 200,000-mile mark with exceptional consistency.

The iSeeCars study sheds light on the top 16 vehicles in terms of longevity, and I'll provide a breakdown of the key concepts discussed in the article:

1. Toyota Land Cruiser

Percentage over 200,000 miles: 16.3%
MPG: 13 city | 17 highway
Drivetrain: 4-wheel drive

The Toyota Land Cruiser emerges as a standout, particularly in developing countries with challenging terrains. Its longevity is attributed to high-grade steel manufacturing and precise, small-batch production techniques by Toyota. The vehicle is designed to endure rugged off-road driving, evident in the substantial percentage of Land Cruisers surpassing 200,000 miles.

2. Toyota Sequoia

Percentage over 200,000 miles: 11.2%
MPG: 13 city | 17 highway
Drivetrain: 4-wheel drive | Rear-wheel drive

Following closely is the Toyota Sequoia, reinforcing Toyota's reputation for crafting durable vehicles. With a truck-based, body-on-frame structure, the Sequoia exhibits a separated chassis contributing to its high level of durability.

3. Chevrolet Suburban

Percentage over 200,000 miles: 5.1%
MPG: 15 city | 19 highway
Drivetrain: 4-wheel drive | Rear-wheel drive

The Chevrolet Suburban, a full-size SUV, demonstrates reliability with a remarkable 5.1% of vehicles reaching over 200,000 miles. Its durable design contributes to preventing issues like rust, and with proper maintenance, it can extend its lifespan significantly.

4. Ford Expedition

Percentage over 200,000 miles: 4.9%
MPG: 17 city | 23 highway
Drivetrain: 4-wheel drive | Rear-wheel drive

The Ford Expedition boasts a sound and reliable design capable of surpassing 150,000 miles. While wear may start to show at this point, consistent routine maintenance and good driving practices can extend its life to the 200,000-mile mark.

5. Toyota 4Runner

Percentage over 200,000 miles: 4.1%
MPG: 16 city | 19 highway
Drivetrain: 4-wheel drive | Rear-wheel drive

The Toyota 4Runner, although not matching the longevity of its counterparts like the Sequoia and Land Cruiser, benefits from Toyota's conservative design philosophy and high manufacturing standards.

Honorable Mentions

Truck-based SUVs dominate the list of consistently reliable vehicles.
The Prius, a hybrid car, stands out as an exception with excellent longevity.

In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the long-term durability of vehicles, showcasing the reliability of specific models and the importance of factors such as manufacturing techniques, design philosophy, and routine maintenance in determining a car's lifespan.

FAQs

How Many Miles Can A Car Last? ›

It's possible for some properly maintained, well-built cars to reach 300,000 miles. Typically, a conventional vehicle lasts for 200,000 miles.

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How many total miles can a car last? ›

Standard cars in this day and age are expected to keep running up to 200,000 miles, while cars with electric engines are expected to last for up to 300,000 miles. Keeping a car that long has a lot of benefits, including the fact that it could save you a great deal of money.

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Can my car last 500000 miles? ›

If you take care of your engine, regularly change oil and other vital fluids on time and keep up with wear and tear, your engine may very well last 500,000 miles. It might even last forever!

How many miles is too many for a used car? ›

There's no absolute number of miles that is considered too high for a used car. But consider 200,000 as an upper limit, a threshold where even modern cars begin to succumb to the years of wear and tear.

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At what mileage does a car start having problems? ›

Generally, vehicles are likely to start experiencing problems after the 100,000-mile mark. Also, in most cases, they no longer have a valid manufacturer's warranty, meaning you have to pay for repairs out of your own pocket when something goes wrong.

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What is the average life of a car? ›

Better electronics help your car run more smoothly and precisely, which adds to a car's life expectancy. Some estimates for the average lifespan of a car come in lower. According to a report from Consumer Reports, the common lifespan of a car is still estimated to be about eight years or 150,000 miles.

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Is it worth fixing a car with 300k miles? ›

Minor things, if the rest of the car is still functioning well, I would say yes. If anything major goes wrong, like a transmission, or an engine, probably not. I would continue to do the regular maintenance as necessary.

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How many miles should a car do in its lifetime? ›

Average Car Lifespan

Provided that it's well-looked after, the average lifespan of a petrol car is around 11-14 years or 200,000 miles. The average diesel car lives even longer, at around 30 years or 1,000,000 miles. Electric cars, meanwhile, live for an average of 10 years or 100,000 miles before hitting the bucket.

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Is it OK to buy a car with 50000 miles? ›

Finding a four-year-old car with 50,000 miles on it can be a great deal, as it means that the driver used it a little less than average, and it could have more life left in it. However, you should be a bit wary of vehicles that are a decade old with only 50,000 miles to show for it.

What mileage is too high? ›

So, for an easy way to calculate how many miles on a used car is too much, just multiply its age by 10,000. For example, a five-year-old car would ideally have 50,000 miles or less on its odometer. If a car's mileage is far larger than the average, then you will have to take a deeper look at the car's history.

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How many miles until a car is considered bad? ›

What is considered high mileage on a car? Often, 100,000 miles is considered a cut-off point for used cars because older vehicles often start requiring more expensive and frequent maintenance when mileage exceeds 100,000.

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What matters more car age or mileage? ›

In conclusion, while it's a good idea to consider both the age of a vehicle and the mileage on the odometer, how it was maintained is the key. A 10 year old car with 100,000 miles may have received more maintenance and upkeep then a 5 year-old car with 50,000 miles.

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At what mileage is a car not worth fixing? ›

Depending on the car's value, repairing it might be worth the money to keep it going for a few more years. However, most modern gasoline-powered vehicles will start to struggle after the 200,000-mile mark. Electric cars can usually make it up to 300,000 miles before they're considered well used.

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At what mileage should I replace my car? ›

A conventional car can last for 200,000 miles. Some well-maintained car models will reach 300,000 or more miles total. The average passenger car age is currently around 12 years in the United States. Choosing a well-built make and model can help extend your car's longevity.

At what mileage do cars become unreliable? ›

Much comes down to keeping your car well maintained. If you follow the manufacturer's service intervals, a modern car from a brand known for reliability should be capable of 200,000 miles or more. “Much depends on the specific make and model of the vehicle,” says Joe Veselak, an automotive tester at Consumer Reports.

What is considered high mileage for a car? ›

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Is it worth repairing a car with 200k miles? ›

Depending on the car's value, repairing it might be worth the money to keep it going for a few more years. However, most modern gasoline-powered vehicles will start to struggle after the 200,000-mile mark. Electric cars can usually make it up to 300,000 miles before they're considered well used.

Can a car last for 20 years? ›

How long should you keep a car? A typical car is expected to last 200,000 miles or more, with electric or hybrid vehicles going up to 300,000 miles. If you drive the average number of miles for an American, a typical car should last you about 14 years and an electric car will last about 21 years.

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