Think of the highest mileage car you've ever been in. What was the number? 150,000 miles? 200,000? Higher? Now think of the condition that the car was in. It likely wasn't anything close to perfect, but hopefully, it still ran without being a safety hazard to its driver and passengers. Now imagine doubling or even tripling the mileage number of the highest mileage car you've ever been in and still keeping that car on the road in a safe and roadworthy condition.
Updated June 2023: If you're wondering whether your car has driven far enough to make it into the Guinness Book of World Records or are just curious to see how many miles a car can get driven, this is the article for you. We have updated it with some new cars and the latest information regarding their mileage.
Firstly, you'll need a reliable car that comes from a brand with a reputation for quality and reliability. You also need serious determination, dedication, and a good chunk of the maintenance budget. Most people don't have these qualities and usually give up on a car when it reaches a certain mileage point, either because they're afraid of the looming cost of major services or because the car is too far gone to be worth saving.
Many cars these days never see more than 100,000 miles on the odometer. Then there are owners like the ones on this list. Owners who keep their cars far beyond the manufacturer's predicted lifespan, whether out of necessity or pure love and passion for their car.
We have previously reported on the woman who drove her Hyundai Elantra one million miles in just five years and the Chicago driver who broke one million miles in his Nissan Frontier. This time, we'll talk about 15 cars with some of the highest mileage ever recorded—all of them with no less than one million miles. It includes several luxury classic cars, pickup trucks, and even sports cars.
Note: Using data from renowned databases like J.D. Power and CarEdge, HotCars has brought together a list of the 15 cars with the highest mileage counts ever seen.
15 1964 Porsche 356C
Last Known Mileage: 1 Million Miles (+)
Guy Newmark received his 1964 Porsche 356C as a graduation present from his father in the mid-1960s. Now, over 50 years later, Newmark is still daily driving his blue Porsche, amply nicknamed Blu. In 2013, the odometer showed 980,000, and the story about Guy and his Porsche was all over the automotive media.
Then, the car got stolen, and for a minute, it seemed Guy would never get to cross the million-mile mark in his treasured sports car. Luckily, he found it down the road, as the thieves didn't figure out how to hot-wire it. Newmark got it fixed and installed LoJack and kept driving it daily. When he finally crossed the million-mile mark, even Porsche congratulated Guy Newmark and his Porsche 356 on its YouTube channel. His secret to trouble-free motoring? The Porsche got serviced every 3,000 miles for over five decades.
1964 Porsche 356C Reliability Based On Owner Feedback
Despite being 60 years old next year, the 356C has held its head up high when reliability is concerned. One owner has even reported that “people stop you on the street to ask questions, honk their horns and wave, give you thumbs up, and put flowers on your car.” Couple this with the fact that the 356C can be run regularly with soft use and regular maintenance, and you’d struggle to find a better classic cruiser.
- Problems Owners Report: Rust is common; overheating; excessive oil consumption
- Highest Mileage Reported On CarSurvey: 92,000 miles
14 2007 Toyota Tundra
Last Known Mileage: 1 Million Miles (+)
The Tundra has always been among some of the best Japanese trucks that we’d take over American ones since its debut at the turn of the century. The owner of this particular Tundra, Vic Sheppard, bought it new in 2007. He then racked up north of 125,000 miles yearly, driving it between his home state and North Dakota.
Vic kept it dealer-maintained, and despite some damage to the front quarter panel, the truck was in good condition when it reached its seven-digit milestone. When Toyota HQ learned about Vic’s milestone via the dealership that serviced the truck, they were so proud of this truck's achievement that they gave him a brand-new Tundra in exchange.
2007 Toyota Tundra Reliability Based On Owner Feedback
One owner on CarSurvey has waxed lyrical about their very own example, saying that they were “blown away at how good this unit looks and performs after all these years, and the equivalent of circumnavigating the earth 10 times”. That’s a more than fair comment for a car that has, as proven, been able to travel the distance to the moon and back multiple times.
- Problems Owners Report: Oxygen sensor failure; vibration along driveshaft; vacuum cleaner noise on cold start in high mileage cars
- Highest Mileage Reported On CarSurvey: 402,000 miles
13 1989 Saab 900 SPG
Last Known Mileage: 1,001,000 Miles
There's no doubt that Saab's death was a tragedy. This particular high-mile Saab is probably better known for its exclusivity than its mileage count. Only 7,500 units of the 900 SPG made it to America, so it's no wonder Peter Gilbert, the owner, wanted to hang onto his example for a long time.
But despite its rarity, Peter kept driving it on what must have been a daily basis. He racked up an astonishing 1,001,385 miles on his stylish Swedish car before eventually donating it to the Wisconsin Auto Museum in 2006.
1989 Saab 900 SPG Reliability Based On Owner Feedback
We definitely miss the jet-fighter brand, just lurking around and giving the world some sensational cars every once in a while. One owner, speaking of their 1989 Saab 900 SPG, said the following: “If you treat them right and get used to the way they are engineered, what you can and can’t do with them, they are very reliable and a blast to drive.”
- Problems Owners Report: Front suspension issues; steering rack prone to failure; head gasket issues common
- Highest Mileage Reported On CarSurvey: 207,000 miles
12 1996 Lexus LS 400
Last Known Mileage: 1 Million Miles (+)
This is perhaps one of the most famous mega-high-mileage cars in the world. Matt Farah, the California-based automotive journalist, bought his million-mile Lexus in Florida when it was nearing the 900,000-mile mark, intending to take it to a million miles.
What then happened might be one of the coolest projects in modern internet car journalism. Farah loaned the car to other journos, so they could drive it around and rack up miles for him. Well played, Farah.
1996 Lexus LS 400 Reliability Based On Owner Feedback
One owner commented: “I thought about getting rid of it, but after test-driving both newer and new cars, I couldn't find anything that would be better than the Lexus for as cheap as it was to do the recent repairs it needed.” That’s strong praise, and one that we can certainly get behind given the notorious reputation the LS 400 has for high-mileage lifespans.
- Problems Owners Report: Front suspension noise; the automatic transmission can shudder; alternator prone to failure
- Highest Mileage Reported On CarSurvey: 226,500
11 1991 Honda Accord EX
Last Known Mileage: 1.16 Million Miles
The 1990s might be the best era of Honda cars — something to keep in mind for those looking to buy one. This bulletproof Honda stayed in the owner's family for two generations, ending at 1.16 million miles.
The original owner kept the car until his death, and in his will, he passed it down to his son, who kept driving it until it reached that critical seven-digit mark. We know little about what happened to the car since, but we can only hope that it's still out there, keeping its odometer rolling and racking up the mileage. Doesn’t a story like this just warm the heart?
1991 Honda Accord EX Reliability Based On Owner Feedback
Honda did have a reputation for poor automatic transmissions in the past, but one high-mileage Accord owner said the following about the car’s deviation from the norm: “Luckily, the automatic in this generation has stood the test of time. They have the common Honda late 1-2 shift point, and on the whole, it really isn't the smoothest shifting transmission, but keep the fluid changed and it'll last.”
- Problems Owners Report: Ignition switch failure; warped front brake rotors; CV boot prone to failure
- Highest Mileage Reported On CarSurvey: 290,000 miles
10 2006 Ford F-250
Last Known Mileage: 1.2 Million Miles
Ford's 7.3-liter Power Stroke turbo diesel V8 is one of the most dependable and long-lasting engines ever created. Co-developed by Ford and Navistar International, the same engine was also in many commercial machines, including buses and delivery trucks — two vehicles expected to last for hundreds of thousands of miles. It's only appropriate that this 2006 F-250 with that same engine would make it to 1.2 million miles with no major issues.
Its owner used it for towing trailers all over the USA to deliver to clients, so it clearly didn't have an easy life, either. He drove it 200,000 miles per year, but the original engine died after 400,000 miles. Luckily, an engine salvaged from a junkyard ran at least another 800,000 miles. The last time anyone checked, the F-250 was still running, so it might've done over 2 million miles by now.
2006 Ford F-250 Reliability Based On Owner Feedback
We can’t wrap our heads around just how much driving one person and one car can possibly do in a year, but the fact that it can be done by certain machines — if given enough time — is why we love cars so much. The F-250 is a classic case in point, with one owner on Carsurvey saying: “I've had my 2006 Superduty since 12-12-06. I muddied it, pulled a 3 horse trailer with living quarters, and used it as a drag car. Sometimes I miss my oil changes by as much as 1000 miles. I just had the car serviced at 60000 miles, and other than a turn signal, I've yet to have trouble.”
- Problems Owners Report: Radiator coolant leak; high-pressure oil pump failure; intake hose may blow
- Highest Mileage Reported On CarSurvey: 92,500 miles
9 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Heavy Duty
Last Known Mileage: 1.22 Million Miles
The 6.6-liter Duramax diesel-powered Silverado is another high-mileage hauler. Its owners, Hugh and Tammy Pennington, bought it for long-distance hauling, using it mostly for hauling supplies to help with recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina.
The owners say their secret to longevity was to change the oil religiously every 5,000 miles and wash the truck after every long haul, particularly after dealing with snowy and salty roads, to prevent rust. No major maintenance was specially required, but it's unknown whether the owners still have it or drive it.
2006 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Heavy Duty Reliability Based On Owner Feedback
The evolution of the Chevrolet Silverado has meant that it is known globally as one of the most reliable pickups that money can buy, and those over at Carsurvey are in agreement. One owner has stated the following: “Although it's had problems, it's never left me stranded anywhere; attributed to the manual, and one of the most reliable engines GM has ever built.”
- Problems Owners Report: Fuel level sensor fault; dirty throttle bodies can lead to stalling; electrical gremlins on higher mileage examples
- Highest Mileage Reported On CarSurvey: 70,000 miles
8 1966 Mercedes-Benz 250SE
Last Known Mileage: 1.28 Million Miles
A modern Mercedes wouldn't be a very safe bet for high-mileage ownership. They're too complex and fragile and rely on far too many electronic components to be easy or affordable to maintain. However, decades ago, Mercedes' build quality was a completely different story. Cars like this 1966 250SE had great build quality, using nothing but the best quality materials and relatively simple mechanical components that could easily keep it running.
The original owner of this Mercedes-Benz drove it all the way to 877,000 miles before he passed away. His heirs then drove it for another 350,000 miles before they sold it to the new owner, who got Mercedes to certify it with its million-mile badge on the grille. The "secret" to its longevity was to baby it and service it often. Perhaps it should rank on our list of the 10 best Mercedes-Benz models ever for performance and comfort.
1966 Mercedes-Benz 250SE Reliability Based On Owner Feedback
This isn’t your average Mercedes, so finding reports of owners that have driven them for anywhere close to a decent mileage is quite difficult. Based on our knowledge, Mercedes-Benz models from this era are expected to be fairly reliable, and if you’re lucky enough to get your hands on a 250SE, we doubt you’d want to drive it for over a million miles, too. But in the rare chance that you are one of those gritty people who will, make sure to keep it serviced and maintained regularly to avoid any big bills.
- Problems Owners Report: Idling issues; oil leaks; must be serviced regularly
- Highest Mileage Reported On CarSurvey: Null
7 1991 Chevrolet C1500 Silverado
Last Known Mileage: 1.29 Million Miles
These early-90s GM trucks were some of the last of the era of truly honest pickups. They were dead simple, functional, tough, and crucially reliable (as long as you kept the frame from getting too rusty, as corrosion would cause it to fracture and bend).
This one's owner used it to deliver seafood daily from Wisconsin to Illinois. The apparent secret to the truck's longevity was regular rust-proofing of the undercarriage and careful care and maintenance. So, the 1991 C1500 Silverado won’t be on our list of Chevrolet Silverado model years to avoid.
1991 Chevrolet C1500 Silverado Reliability Based On Owner Feedback
The Silverado was made for hard work, and the gritty determination of the C1500 is perfectly encapsulated in this owner's summary of their vehicle: “This truck has been the most reliable vehicle I have ever owned. I bought it new from a dealership where it had been used as a demo with 8,000 miles on it. Other than routine maintenance and the gasket and rust problem, it has been a great vehicle. It has been all over the state and in Canada, and I never even doubted for a second that it would get us home, and it always does.”
- Problems Owners Report: Intake manifold gasket could leak; ABS sensor known to fail
- Highest Mileage Reported On CarSurvey: 240,800
6 1983 Lincoln Town Car
Last Known Mileage: 1.3 Million Miles
If you're going to travel 1.3 million miles in a car, it's best to do it in something with a pair of bench seats modeled after your grandmother's most comfortable couch. The owner of this Lincoln Town Car drove it cross-country on many occasions and could squeeze 22 miles per gallon out of its massive V8 engine.
He maintained it at a Lincoln dealership for his entire life and claims that the car never broke down once in the entire time he owned it. We’d love to see this stellar reliability to be recreated in the form of this Lincoln Town Car Wagon render.
1983 Lincoln Town Car Reliability Based On Owner Feedback
An ambassador for the relaxed way of life, the Lincoln Town Car, still to this day, remains a go-to option for a proven cruiser that is as reliable as it is slow. One owner is beaming with pride over their example on Carsurvey, saying the following: “Still drives like new on factory stock suspension components. Very good for early fuel injection of mass production. Bought as a cheap school car and is now in the process of restoration.”
- Problems Owners Report: Air suspension leaks; acceleration is painfully bad; coolant leak common
- Highest Mileage Reported On CarSurvey: 219,234
5 1963 Volkswagen Beetle
Last Known Mileage: 1.61 Million Miles
Mechanically speaking, classic Beetles are famous for brutal simplicity and ease of repair, but not necessarily reliability. Yet, this one covered an astonishing 1.61 million miles. It wasn't easy, though, the owner reportedly went through seven engines on the way to 1.61 million, which he reached in 1987 after buying the car new in 1963.
That means he covered 1.61 million miles in just 24 years; or just over 67,000 miles per year. Break that down even further, and you arrive at around 183 miles per day. Imagine driving 183 miles per day, every single day, for 24 years, and that’s what the owner of this 1963 Volkswagen Beetle did. Unbelievable.
1963 Volkswagen Beetle Reliability Based On Owner Feedback
The classic Beetle is very much Marmite: you either hate it or you love it. One owner, who racked up over 120,000 miles in theirs before having to sell it, reported the following: “When I bought this Beetle, it was already heavily used, but it was one owner and had been well maintained. The heater setup leaves a bit to be desired (running over a puddle meant a blast of fog onto the windshield), but unless you had leaky exhaust pipes, it was reasonably safe. The later model heat exchangers could probably be retrofitted and made to work.”
- Problems Owners Report: Engine failure; power windows stop working; power locks prone to fault
- Highest Mileage Reported On CarSurvey: 120,000 miles
4 1963 Plymouth Fury
Last Known Mileage: 1.62 Million Miles
Sometimes, the reason for a car never making it to a high mileage number is completely out of the owner's hands and can often be pure bad luck. Such is the case with this 1963 Plymouth Fury.
It served as a taxi in Montreal, where its owner kept good care of it all the time he had it. In that time, he estimates that he carried some 800,000 passengers across the city. He came within a few miles of claiming the Guinness World Record for high mileage in 1999, but a truck hit his car. The driver was unhurt, but the Fury ended up totaled. Can we please have the world’s biggest violin playing for our fallen soldier?
1963 Plymouth Fury Reliability Based On Owner Feedback
One owner has said the following over on Carsurvey: “So fun to drive. Only one in my area. The only problem is finding interior parts, but that's not an essential part of its functionality. It's a great car though. Love it more than I love most people.” The truth is, don’t most petrolheads love cars more than most people? Let’s leave those can of worms for another day.
- Problems Owners Report: Oil leak; rough engine idle; poor build quality well documented
- Highest Mileage Reported On CarSurvey: 185,000 miles
3 1979 Volvo 245 GL
Last Known Mileage: 1.63 Million Miles
In the apocalypse, the only traces of humanity left behind will be Twinkies, Nokia 3310s, and Volvo 240s. This Volvo was in production from 1979 to 1993, largely unchanged, save for some upgrades to the fuel system and new safety features.
The 240 models are desirable now, and with enough care and maintenance, they can last for hundreds of thousands of miles without issue. This first-year model reached 1.63 million miles, used by a Finnish logistics firm as a company car.
1979 Volvo 245 GL Reliability Based On Owner Feedback
One owner, who acquired the car when it had already completed 349,000 miles, said the following about their Volvo 245: “I paid $500 for it, it needed three rust holes bogged up, then a bit of money spent to get it on the road. I live near a VOLVO specialist wrecker, so most of the parts have been salvaged. I've read that these cars can go for 1/2 million miles, and my plan is to drive it that far (which might take me the rest of my life, considering I only drive it one or two days a week.”
- Problems Owners Report: Fuel pump prone to rust; water pump issues; radiator can also be temperamental
- Highest Mileage Reported On CarSurvey: 349,000 miles
2 1976 Mercedes-Benz 240D
Last Known Mileage: 2.85 Million Miles
This is the first car on this list to travel over 2 million miles, doubling the mileage count of some cars at the top of the list. It belonged to a Greek taxi driver who reached an astonishing 2.85 million miles in 2004.
Mercedes-Benz recognized the car as the longest-running vehicle in the company's history and gave its owner a brand new C-Class for taxi duty in exchange for putting his 240D in Mercedes' own museum.
1976 Mercedes-Benz 240D Reliability Based On Owner Feedback
We wonder: did Mercedes-Benz know that it was capable of producing a car that could run for close to three million miles? We doubt it, and that says a lot considering the Silver Arrow brand has a penchant for making reliable cars. One owner gave a worthwhile piece of advice over on Carsurvey for those interested in buying a 240D: “You can pick up a decent 240D for $1000 to $2000. Don't be afraid if the miles seem high - these engines will do 2 or 3 times the miles other cars can do. Just make sure you have a battery recharger on board because in cold weather your battery will need to be 100 percent.”
- Problems Owners Report: Timing chain problems; overheating; fuel system prone to failure
- Highest Mileage Reported On CarSurvey: 140,000 miles
1 1966 Volvo P1800
Last Known Mileage: 3.25 Million Miles
Fitting that a Volvo would hold the Guinness World Record for the highest mileage, although, the P1800 wasn't just any Volvo. It was a beautiful and comfortable sports tourer, and its owner, Irv Gordon, used it for its true intended purpose: long-distance drives across the United States.
Irv Gordon achieved an astounding mileage count of 3.04 million miles in 2014. He claimed that his secret to longevity was regular oil changes, closely following the manufacturer's maintenance guidelines, and keeping the car clean. Irv kept driving the Volvo until he sadly passed away at age 77 a few years ago. Reportedly, the odometer then showed 3.25 million miles – that's roughly 130 times around the world.
1966 Volvo P1800 Reliability Based On Owner Feedback
Many owners complain about the price of replacing parts, which is expected given the age of the original P1800. One owner on Carsurvey has reported the following on their own experience: “The ignition relay had rusted out and made poor contact. The transmission fluid leaks. Have not determined if this is a line or a gasket.” However, to counter their own comments about reliability, the owner also said: “This car seems to draw the attention of a lot of different folks. Not too many know what it is. But let them drive around and they will have a smile from ear to ear.”
- Problems Owners Report: Rust; fuel leaks; electrical issues can become common in high-mileage examples
- Highest Mileage Reported On CarSurvey: 106,233