Which Vehicles Would Be Able to Make it to 250,000 Miles​?

In the past, your vehicle may have started to feel its age when the odometer hit 100,000 miles. Thanks to improved engineering, build quality, and technology, your vehicle can now last longer. Do not be surprised if your vehicle hits 250,000 miles on the odometer.  

How does a vehicle make it 250,000 miles? There are plenty of factors that will keep a vehicle on the road to meet that odometer reading. For one, engineering. A long-lasting vehicle was built to go the distance with proven components, such as engines and drivelines. If you get something right the first time, you rarely change it. Or, not at all. Some engines were developed decades ago and are still being produced for vehicles today.  

To support these long-running vehicles, you have to have the parts for them. Components can still be produced by the factory or another source that fits just right years after they were first developed for production. If you have a suspension design that has not changed in 20 years, you will likely find the right springs, shocks, and control arms that fit the vehicle today. Plus, these parts were designed to be reliable the first time and remain so now.  

More importantly, they only require simple maintenance. An oil change should not be difficult to do with drain plugs, filters, and fill caps placed in easy-to-find locations. Changing spark plugs shouldn’t require twisting an arm to access them. Long-running vehicles should be easy to work on every time you open up the hood or change a tire.  

Which vehicles are capable of making it 250,000 miles? According to a research firm, EpicVIN, these sedans, SUVs, and trucks have a proven track record of reliability and longevity.  

The first three vehicles listed are from Toyota – the Land Cruiser, Tacoma, and Tundra. Their noted reliability and endurance put them on the list because of their track record of high mileage and low maintenance. Specifically, Land Cruisers are used worldwide to navigate the toughest terrain and conditions. The Tacoma is the best-selling pickup truck in its size class, with many still on the road at work and off-road.  

The Toyota Tundra is not a surprise to many, given that it is the youngest member of the full-size pickup truck segment. However, the reliable i-FORCE V8 engine has been around since 2007 and has not changed since its introduction into this pickup truck, so older Tundras should last a long time.  

Another manufacturer known for reliability and proven engineering is Honda. In particular, the Accord sedan is noted for its well-built, simple design and driveline that has remained mostly the same.  Many Accord models from the 2010s are still on the road, racking up hundreds of thousands of miles, thanks to a simple layout and basic technology that are simply bulletproof.  

Lastly, there’s the Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL. This family hauler was born from a pickup truck chassis, with a large, durable body and interior design. Its Small Block V8s have not changed much since the 1950s, while using the latest fuel-delivery and engine-management systems. There are still many of them on the road, dating back to the “square” bodies because of their easy-to-work-on drivelines and a vast pipeline of spare parts to keep them going for decades. 

Proven reliability is how you determine whether your vehicle cab lasts for 250,000 miles or more. All it takes is regular maintenance and the right kind of parts to keep them going. At Alderman Automotive, our service department is here to make sure your trusty vehicle keeps on going for miles to come. Contact us to make an appointment to get your long-running vehicle serviced. We also have an inventory full of reliable, long-lasting vehicles.