HOURS MAP

The Most Reliable and Longest Lasting Cars

Reliable carsBringing your car in for regular scheduled maintenance is one way to extend the life of your vehicle, but some cars are simply built to be longer lasting than others. To determine which cars were actually the most durable, a pair of researchers studied car ownership patterns and asked mechanics and other auto-professionals to evaluate cars for mechanical defects or major repair work.

After looking at data comprised of more than 550,000 vehicles, researchers found that these brands and types of cars made up more than 60 percent of the vehicles with over 300,000 miles still on the road today. The most reliable cars are:

  • GM Full-Sized Trucks and SUVs
  • Ford Full-Sized Trucks and SUVs
  • Ford Rear-Wheeled Drive V-8 Cars
  • Honda Four-Cylinder Cars
  • Any Toyota (Except the Celica and RAV4)

Researchers say these five types of vehicles are 250 percent more likely to hit 300,000 miles on the odometer than any other vehicle.

Other Findings

Some other interesting findings from the study include:

  • Nissan Maximas are also very reliable vehicles. 21 percent of Nissan Maximas reach 180,000 miles, while only five percent of Volkswagon models reach the same plateau.
  • Cadillacs are very unreliable vehicles. Similar to Volkswagons, only five percent of Cadillacs reach 180,000 miles.
  • Honda Accords trump European cars. Of 12,398 Accords traded in to a used car dealership, 3,826 had over 180,000 miles. That’s more than Audi, BMW, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mercedes, VW, Volvo, Saab, Porsche, and BMW’s sub-brand MINI combined.
  • Only 1 in 1,700 Land Rovers and Jaguars get traded in after surpassing the 180,000 mark.
  • On average, about 1 in 10 cars traded in at a used car dealership has eclipsed 180,000 miles.

Obviously the study has some flaws, as it’s certainly possible those who own a Land Rover, Jaguar or BMW simply hold onto the car until it breaks down for good, but it’s worth noting which brands appear to have exceptional lifespans. If you’re considering buying a used car, Toyota Camrys, Corollas and Honda Accords are great bets. Also, if you want to extend the life of your current vehicle, stop on in to Affordable Auto for your routine maintenance needs.


  • How To Jump Start a Car
    Jan 29, 2014

    It seems like we’re locked in a never-ending loop of polar vortexes in Minnesota, and when the weather dips below freezing it can take a toll on your car’s battery. If you park your car outside during the winter, chances are you’ve had to jump your car or help someone else jump their car at […]

  • Get Your Children Interested in Caring For Their Car
    Jul 29, 2015

    Taking care of your car can be a great hobby – after all, we love taking care of cars so much that we opened our own repair shop! It’s also a great hobby to share with your children. Not only is it practical, but it can be fun and rewarding as well. Today, we explain […]

  • What is my Timing Belt & When Should I Replace it?
    Aug 7, 2013

    Everyone knows the simple fixes to keep your car in top shape, like getting routine oil changes, regularly changing your filters and fluids, and maintaining your tires, but some of the most important maintenance habits are the least well known. One such service is making sure you take care of your timing belt. What is […]