US delivery driver who's driven Honda Accord over 1,000,000 miles shares the bizarre things he's had to do to keep it running
Published on Mar 03, 2026 at 9:49 AM (UTC+4)
by Molly Davidson
Last updated on Mar 03, 2026 at 9:49 AM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Molly Davidson
A US delivery driver has pushed his Honda Accord past a milestone most cars never even dream about.
The 2003 coupe has now clocked more than 1,000,000 miles on its original engine.
But getting there wasn’t just about oil changes and luck.
It meant fixing parts you wouldn’t expect, bending a few rules, and treating the throttle like it’s made of glass.
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The Honda Accord with over 1,000,000 miles
Justin Kilmer uses his 2003 Honda Accord as a medical courier vehicle, delivering blood and medical supplies across the US.
Since 2015 alone, he’s added more than 800,000 miles, which means the car averages close to 100,000 miles a year.
With that kind of workload, small issues don’t stay small for long.
Because of that, his biggest rule is staying ahead of problems.
Fluid changes are non-negotiable, timing belts are replaced on schedule, and certain parts have to be OEM – especially ball joints, wheel bearings, coil packs, and engine mounts.
He’s seen what happens when cheaper components fail.
Even with that discipline, the Accord has thrown up some strange failures.
The driver’s seat wore out, the door lock actuators stopped working, and it’s now on its third radiator and power steering pump.
Along the way, it has also needed CV axles, control arms, and a catalytic converter.
At the same time, some parts have lasted surprisingly well.
The clutch made it to nearly 950,000 miles before its second replacement, and the spark plugs have only been changed three times.
He runs extended-life oil and changes it every 15,000 miles because he’s constantly on the road.
Meanwhile, he drives gently to protect the original V6, rarely revving past 3,000rpm.
Even so, it now burns a quart of oil every 5,000 miles, and a recent misfire revealed one exhaust valve no longer seals properly.
Still, despite all of that, it crossed the milestone.
The main odometer froze at 999,999 miles, while the trip meter rolled over to mark the moment.
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This million-mile marvel isn’t done yet
Naturally, most people would retire a car long before it crosses six digits, let alone seven.
However, for Kilmer, hitting 1,000,000 miles was never the end goal.
Instead, he plans to replace the engine and keep delivering life-saving supplies across the country.
In that sense, what started as a regular Honda Accord has become something far more meaningful.
After 20 years and more than a million miles, it’s no longer just a commuter coupe.
Rather, it’s proof that if you stay consistent, fix problems early, and show a little mechanical sympathy, even an everyday Honda Accord can outlast expectations.
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With roles at TEXT Journal, Bowen Street Press, Onya Magazine, and Swine Magazine on her CV, Molly joined Supercar Blondie in June 2025 as a Junior Content Writer. Having experience across copyediting, proofreading, reference checking, and production, she brings accuracy, clarity, and audience focus to her stories spanning automotive, tech, and lifestyle news.
