12 Cars That Will Last 500,000 Miles

It used to be that most cars could drive upwards of a few hundred thousand miles, just with routine maintenance. In this age of planned obsolescence and throwaway technology, getting your vehicles to last a reasonable amount of time and mileage seems like a hard ask.

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Modern cars depend on a lot of sensors and electronics to offer all the extra comfort, convenience, and safety that commonly found features call for. Most also rely on turbocharging to meet stringent environmental and efficiency standards, resulting in more “stressed” mechanicals as well. The flip side is that many modern cars often don’t last as long as some used cars do.

If you’re looking for a used car that can go the distance, look no further. In this list, we’ve included cars that have racked up over 500,000 miles before or show every sign that they’re capable of it. A few good indicators of reliable cars are ones that routinely get high-reliability ratings from experts and users. It isn’t just Toyotas and Hondas that can manage the half-million-mile challenge either. Some surprise entries are worth checking out if you want a really robust set of wheels that’s a left-of-field choice.

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UPDATE: 2024/04/20 19:47 EST BY MONDAY GOMA

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We have updated this list with new reliability information and mileage reports about cars proven to reach 500,000 miles.

How we made our model selections: HotCars extensively searched for cars with the highest reported mileages, as shared by owners on various platforms such as CarSurvey, Reddit, and YouTube. After gathering a satisfactory number of models, we ranked them from the lowest to the highest based on owner-reported mileages.

10

1979-1993 Ford Mustang: 300,000 Miles

Via Bring a Trailer

The Ford Mustang has been America’s dominant muscle car now for almost six decades, and across those years many examples have been in regular, daily use, resulting in some seriously high mileage Mustangs. One prime example is the third generation, which is widely regarded as one of the classic Mustangs that can stand the test of time. Having been around for quite some time, the third-gen ‘Stang boasts numerous models with mileages surpassing 100,000 miles.

Reliability Based On Owner Feedback

The reliability of the Ford Mustang means there are many models worth buying. Among them, the third-generation Mustang stands out for its exceptional mileage. As one reviewer on Carsurvey puts it, these cars simply “never die.” Numerous owners have reported driving their third-generation ‘Stangs for hundreds of thousands of miles on the site. Similarly, on Reddit, a commenter highly praised the third-generation Fox Body for its reliability and ease of maintenance.

9

1992-1997 Mazda Miata: 430,253 Miles

Cars & Bids

The diminutive Mazda Miata is the most successful little sports car ever sold, with over a million examples produced and sold – among those million examples are a few special cars, which have proven the durability and reliability of the marque.

Mazda has dedicated a page on their website to honor five owners who have clocked up some serious mileage in their Miatas, including one Japanese gentleman who is closing in on 1 million kilometers (621,000 miles) in his trusty NA Miata. That’s concrete proof that these simplistic little sports cars can just keep going and going if well cared for, thanks to their back-to-basic design and low-stress mechanicals.

Reliability Based On Owner Feedback

The first-generation Mazda MX-5 is widely acclaimed for its reliability. With the exception of the 1990 and early 1991 1.6-liter engines, which, according to some online commenters, may have issues with the crank pulley key, the first-gen MX-5 Miata has received high praise from numerous users for its outstanding dependability.

One Redditor even shared their interest in purchasing a Miata with an impressive 430,253 miles on the odometer. Although the engine was reportedly rebuilt at 426,000 miles, it serves as undeniable proof of how far these cars can take you with their original equipment.

8

1996-2002 Toyota 4Runner: 500,000+ Miles

Cars & Bids

The 4Runner is a sublime off-roader and truly capable hauler, plus it has a top reputation when it comes to reliability and its long-lasting nature. Consumer Reports even makes special note of the ‘near-bulletproof durability’. Like many Toyotas both new and old, the 4Runner is a well-engineered product and should last a lifetime if properly maintained and serviced on time, so 500,000 miles should be a breeze for a dependable 4X4 like this.

Reliability Based On Owner Feedback

The third-gen model more than lives up to the hype of the 4Runner’s reputation for reliability. One stoked owner of a 1996 Toyota 4Runner Limited 3.7 V6 raved about its reliability, saying it’s got “Astounding reliability, comfort and fun. This car will live forever.” It’s hard to argue with them when their trusty SUV had a whopping 334,000 miles on the odometer at the time they shared their review. Here are some other impressive mileages reported for the third-gen 4Runner:

7

2006-2011 Honda Civic: 621,371 Miles

Bring a Trailer

The eight-generation Honda Civic is a humble and sensible economy car that’s been serving the American public reliably for many decades now, and still proves as popular as ever today.

Excellently designed 4-cylinder engines and simple transmissions are the key to Honda’s success, plus not only are they impossibly reliable, but they also offer great economy and are just as dependable as anything else on American roads.

Reliability Based On Owner Feedback

The eight-generation Civic is widely regarded as one of the most reliable cars that last 500,000 miles. One owner of a 2008 Honda Civic EX 1.8, praised the vehicle, stating that it is a “Fun, reliable car, that looks good and never breaks down.”

On Reddit, there were numerous positive reports about the Civic as well, including one commenter who claims “the main issue you’ll have with a Honda Civic is that it is super reliable, and you find yourself bored not constantly being in the shop having it worked on.”

6

1984-1992 Volvo 740: 650,000 Miles

Favcars

If you mention high-mileage cars to any gearhead, the chances are a Volvo station wagon of some kind will pop into their head. It could be a classic P1800 ES, a 240 Turbo, or a more modern 850R. It doesn’t really matter – all big Volvo wagons are perfect candidates for munching some serious miles.

To honor this, Volvo has even launched its own high mileage club, offering grill badges for cars that have clocked up more impressive numbers. You can even check out the top ten cars on their website, all of which have surpassed the 500,000-mile mark by some considerable margin.

Whether it’s a manual or automatic, classic or modern car you need, there’s a Volvo station wagon to tick the box, and it’ll keep on going until the end of time too, making it the single best car on the planet anywhere if you need to do some mega miles!

Reliability Based On Owner Feedback

The first-generation Volvo 740 is widely recognized for being one of the cars that will last 500,000 miles due to its solid construction, and reviews from owners only reinforce this perception. One owner of a 1985 Volvo 740 with an impressive 323,000 miles commented, ‘Over 300k miles and it won’t die!’ Another user, who owned a 1985 Volvo 740 Wagon 2.3L, shared a similar sentiment, stating that they just ‘Can’t kill these wagons!’ even after accumulating around 445,000 miles.

5

2002-2007 Honda Accord: 659,000 Miles

Cars & Bids

Honda is one of the best-performing models for reliability, and the seventh-generation Accord serves as undeniable evidence. The 2007 model, which is the only seventh-gen Accord assessed by J.D. Power, achieved an impressive reliability score of 88 out of 100.

Even after more than two decades since its initial release, the 7th-gen Accord is still a common sight on the roads, providing ample proof that a Honda vehicle is a foolproof investment.

Reliability Based On Owner Feedback

So, how long do Hondas last, you might wonder? Well, with proper maintenance, they can easily surpass the 500,000-mile mark. In the case of the seventh-generation Accord, there are many impressive examples to share. One owner of a 2007 EX-L posted about accumulating an astounding 659,000 miles on its original engine and transmission.

On the very same Reddit thread, there’s even mention of a model with over 1,000,000 miles on the original powertrain (not included in the table since the model year wasn’t specified. Here are a few reported mileage figures for the seventh-gen Accord:

4

1974-1989 Porsche 911: 725,202 Miles

Mecum Auctions

A true driver’s car, the Porsche 911 (of all iterations and specifications) has driver satisfaction, performance, and precise handling at the very core of what it is, hence why owners keep most of them tucked away, waiting for those beautiful sunny summer days to enjoy them.

In addition to these inherent attributes, the air-cooled G-series generation of the Porsche 911 brings a great deal of reliability and durability to the table, as demonstrated by this remarkable 930 Turbo that had racked up an incredible 725,000 miles by 2017, when Porsche decided to document his incredible ownership story on their main website.

Reliability Based On Owner Feedback

The G-series 911 is one of those classic sports cars that are built to last for ages. In their report on CarSurvey, one owner of a 205,000-mile 1978 Porsche 911 SC 3.0 commended the car’s exceptional engineering, saying “It is a very well-engineered car to last so long.” Others online have also sung praises of the G-series 911, with one owner going all-out and declaring, “Air cooled 911s are the epitome of automibilia,” implying they are the ultimate embodiment of everything great about cars.

3

1997-2004 Chevrolet Corvette: 773,000 Miles

GM

If you’ve got a wallet full enough to stomach 500,000 miles at 18 mpg as well as keeping on top of regular servicing, a Corvette could be the sports car for you. Regardless of whether you pick a classic ‘Vette with simplistic mechanicals or a modern iteration, you should be good to clock up some serious mileage.

Reliability is one thing though, but durability is another. How can you be sure that your Corvette can clock up the half million miles we propose it can? A quick trip to the Corvette Museum will put your fears to rest, as you’ll come across Mark Blackwell’s old C5 Corvette, which he donated to the museum at 773,000 miles – and yes, it’s still on the original 5.7-liter engine!

Reliability Based On Owner Feedback

With a whopping 773,000 miles on the clock, Mark Blackwell’s 2000 ‘Vette not only secures a spot at the high table as one of the legendary 500k miles cars, but it also claims the title of the highest mileage sports car in the world for the C5 Corvette. Blackwell’s Corvette isn’t the only C5 with an impressive mileage story, however.

Another C5 owner on Reddit racked up an astonishing 349,000 miles on their own ride, proving that Blackwell’s achievement is no fluke. In fact, the C5 owner on Reddit couldn’t help but sing praises of this incredible car, saying, “These cars are seriously bulletproof!” And it’s not just them. Another owner of a 2003 Chevrolet Corvette Anniversary Coupe is equally blown away by the C5, going as far as calling it “A must have, even if once in your lifetime.”

2

1999-2007 Ford F-350: 1,000,000 Miles

Mecum Auctions

For decades now, Ford has offered the F-350 as an uber-reliable, super-duty pickup truck – a larger-than-life truck ready for anything and can go anywhere without stress. Thanks primarily to the powerful and torquey diesel engines, long beds, spacious cab, and high ride height, the F-350 has become extremely popular with the towing and recovery community.

While the Ford F-350 is generally a reliable truck, the first generation of the Ford F-Series Super Duty model has some corroboration. At launch, the 1999 F-350 was equipped as standard with the Ford 5.4L Triton engine, which, interestingly, is known to be one of the Ford engines that will last 500,000 miles.

That being said, it’s worth noting that there have been some reliability concerns among commenters regarding the 6.0L turbo diesel engine in the first generation F-Series Super Duty.

Reliability Based On Owner Feedback

When it comes to reliability, the Ford F-Series is known to be a safe bet. It’s no surprise, then, that the 1999-2007 F-350 is one of the cars that can last 500,000 miles. In fact, a Reddit user even shared about their 1999 F-350 reaching an impressive milestone of 1,000,000 miles. Several other owners have also shared their high mileage experiences while praising the truck for its enduring reliability. Here are some reported mileage figures for the F-350.

1

2005-2015 Toyota Tacoma: 1,625,000 Miles

Mecum Auctions

Every off-road icon possesses the formidable “built tough” quality, and the Toyota Tacoma is no exception. This truck is renowned for its unwavering dependability, meaning it’s a vehicle that anyone can rely upon for years to come. But even by these Tacoma standards, the second-generation model sets itself apart with its enduring dependability and astounding mileage figures.

Reliability Based On Owner Feedback

According to Reddit user reviews, the Toyota Tacoma has proven to be remarkably trouble-free for owners. Many have mentioned that regular maintenance, such as oil changes and routine check-ups, have been sufficient to keep it running smoothly.

One owner of a 2013 Tacoma shared that they haven’t had to perform any major maintenance tasks aside from oil changes and a few preventative measures. They even went as far as saying it is the “Most reliable vehicle I’ve ever owned. It just always starts no matter what.” Reliability aside, the second-generation Tacoma has also demonstrated an exceptional ability to endure. A prime example is Mike Neal’s 2008 Tacoma, which accumulated an astonishing 1.6 million miles before his passing. Here are some reported mileages for the 2005-2015 Toyota Tacoma models.

Sources: Carsurvey.org, iseecars.com, Cars.com, Carbuzz.com, TopSpeed.com, Reddit, YouTube