Man who drives Honda Insight with 982,000 miles explains what it's like to use the hybrid car
Published on Jul 05, 2025 at 5:22 AM (UTC+4)
by Callum Tokody
Last updated on Jul 03, 2025 at 2:47 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
This Honda Insight owner is proving just how far hybrid technology can go by putting nearly one million miles on the car.
The silver two-door hatchback, built in 2002, has traveled more than 980,000 miles and is still running on its original engine.
The man behind the wheel, David Andrew, is determined to push it to seven figures.
He has now passed the 983,000-mile mark and is driving it every day to really test its capabilities.
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How this Honda Insight survived nearly a million miles
David discovered the car through a Facebook connection.
The previous owner had purchased the Honda Insight in 2002 and used it extensively for business travel between dealerships.
By the time Andrew was offered the vehicle, it had already racked up an astonishing 980,000 miles.
Despite the mileage, it retained its original engine, original rear brakes, and even had a working air conditioning system.
It was kept alive thanks to regular oil changes, smart upkeep, and a willingness to replace components like the hybrid battery and CVT transmission as needed.
The hybrid battery has been replaced three times, and Andrew uses a grid charger to keep it balanced.
While the fuel efficiency has dropped from its EPA-rated 53 mpg to around 40 mpg, the Honda Insight still performs reliably on highways and back roads.
Apart from the transmission and battery changes, most components remain untouched.
The lightweight aluminum body has helped the car to avoid rust, and the structure is still intact. Even with its current mechanical quirks, the Insight remains usable.
Andrew added an oil catch can to control consumption and continues topping up fluid on the go.
What’s next for the high-mileage hybrid
With less than 16,000 miles remaining before he reaches his one million-mile goal, David Andrew is using the car for courier work, driving 100 to 200 miles per day.
He has already put 1,200 miles on it in just a few weeks.
The Insight idles poorly and struggles from a stop, but it does not overheat and still starts reliably.
A compression test showed strong cylinder pressure, and no major faults have been detected through diagnostics.
There is some uncertainty about what happens at the one-million-mile mark.
The odometer might freeze at 999,999 or reset to zero. Honda has not confirmed either outcome.
Regardless, Andrew plans to celebrate the milestone.
He is organizing a party to mark the occasion and wants the previous owner to be there.
The goal is to hit one million miles before the end of the year, as long as no major issues arise.
This Honda Insight shows what can happen when engineering, care, fuel efficiency, and proper upkeep align.
With three hybrid battery replacements and an engine that refuses to quit, the high mileage Honda is now a symbol of what hybrids are capable of when maintained properly.
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Callum Tokody is a content writer at Supercar Blondie, where he covers the latest in the automotive world with a focus on design and performance. Callum has a background in automotive journalism and has contributed to a range of publications in Australia and the UK. Outside of work, he’s a design enthusiast with a soft spot for anything with a V8 and a good story.
