Mechanic explains how you can make your car last for 500,000 miles
Published on Sep 30, 2025 at 2:21 AM (UTC+4)
by Claire Reid
Last updated on Sep 30, 2025 at 2:21 AM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Claire Reid
A mechanic has shared some top tips on how to make your car last for 500,000 miles.
Typically, cars last for around 11 years, or 200,000 miles.
But if you’re the sort of person who likes getting their money’s worth, then you may be keen to learn how to keep your odometer clocking up way beyond the 200,000 miles mark.
Thankfully, a mechanic recently shared his top tips for getting the most out of your car and some of them are surprisingly simple.
DISCOVER SBX CARS – The global premium auction platform powered by Supercar Blondie
There are a few things to help make your car last for 500,000 miles
We’ve all heard the stories of motorists who have managed to rack up an incredible amount of miles on their vehicles, like the man who put a million miles on his 2014 Lexus CT 200h or the Louisiana man who put a million miles on not one, but two Toyota Tundras.
If these stories have inspired you to try and get some extra mileage out of your vehicle, then you’re in luck, because mechanic Alan Gelfand recently shared some tips with Go Banking Rates.
For starters, make sure you choose the right car.
When it comes to reliability, brands like Toyota and Honda tend to the top list and will boost your chances of hitting 500,000 miles and beyond.
But it’s not just about the car, it’s how you drive it.
Gefland said that harsh driving can knock ‘years’ off a car’s lifespan.
He warned against skipping warm-up time, braking hard, and flooring the gas when out on the road.
If you’re hoping to make your car last for 500,000 miles, you’ll also need to make sure you stick to scheduled maintenance to ensure your car stays in good condition.
This includes things like oil changes, coolant flushes, and brake maintenance.
Alongside your regular maintenance, Gefland suggests budgeting for repairs and also recommends acting fast when something does go wrong.
“The journey to 500,000 miles will require multiple brake replacements, suspension parts changes, alternator replacements, and possibly two transmission rebuilds,” he explained.
The man who put 3 million miles on his Volvo had some useful tips
When you talk of high-mileage vehicles, it’s impossible not to mention Irv Gordon’s Volvo P1800S.
Gordon drove the car for more than 50 years and put a mind-blowing 3,250,257 miles on the clock.
In order to get so much out of his car, Gordon stuck to some strict rules.
He refused to eat or drink in the car, wouldn’t let anyone else drive it, and to never missed a scheduled maintenance appointment.
DISCOVER SBX CARS: The global premium car auction platform powered by Supercar Blondie
Claire Reid is a journalist who hails from the UK but is now living in New Zealand. She began her career after graduating with a degree in Journalism from Liverpool John Moore’s University and has more than a decade of experience, writing for both local newspapers and national news sites. Claire covers a wide variety of topics, with a special focus on cars, technology, planes, cryptocurrency, and luxury.
