Just read Irv Gordon's Volvo P60 1966 vintage has surpassed 3 million certified miles. 885 oil changes and the same engine. Well worth Googling.

Look after a car properly and drive it with a degree of mechanical sympathy and it’ll run and run. I’ve never had a major failure on any car I’ve owned (tempting fate here) and I’ve seen well cared for taxis with well over half a million miles up and running well.

I had an old Nissan Micra, fell apart at ten years old, due to ECU failing, and many many other issues. I had a 2002 Ford Ka bought new, which had to be scrapped after ten years and 160,000 miles due to rust. Original clutch. But I had several wheel bearings go due I think to rough B roads, and lots of other issues, and lots of welding needed. Assuming the garage weren’t making up problems. It kept failing MOT tests after six years. I had a VW Up, bought new, 130,000 miles in six years and no issues at all. Original clutch. Brakes disks changed after 80,000 miles, brake pads lasted ages. Both cars serviced regularly. The VW Up looked much better made when I inspected the engine and underside. Based on my experience, I reckon some cars just do not last, whilst others are better engineered. My neighbours Toyota Yaris with a van style rear is 15 years old and finally showing some rust, but faultless and 75,000 miles.

Look after a car properly and drive it with a degree of mechanical sympathy and it’ll run and run. I’ve never had a major failure on any car I’ve owned (tempting fate here) ...

Neither have I. My maintenance opinions have attracted derision and invective, but my records show family car disposal mileages.... 1983 Passat estate GL5 192,000; 1994 Passat estate 2.0GL 242,000; current Xreg Focus 132,000. My own cars, more modest mileage - 1990 Audi 2.0E 146,000; 1998 Audi A6 132,000, only disposed of because I found a better long term car for semi-retirement 4yrs ago (aluminium A8). None had ever had a garage 'service', cambelt change (unless off anyway for water pump failure), brake fluid or coolant change. Only major bills I can remember was a water pump (GL5), broken spring (A6), broken anti-roll bar (Audi 2.0E), fuel pump and coil pack (Focus). Front discs last 100,000m, pads around 50,000m. Capital/depreciation costs - around 6p per mile. (TR7 mileage so low not worth mentioning). But 270,000 on a tiny engine is amazing!

PS just remembered rear bearing failure on Passat...after driving from near Bordeaux with full family, luggage....and umpteen bottles and boxes of wine stuffed into any available space!! Egg on face.

Edited by John F on 21/09/2018 at 10:57