Toyota, Lexus and Honda feature prominently among vehicles with strong odds of reaching 250,000 miles. But choosing a long-lasting model is only the beginning. Maintenance history, model year, condition and repair costs determine whether a particular car is worth keeping that long.
The Toyota Sequoia leads the overall ranking in iSeeCars’ September 2026 longevity study, with an estimated 42.3% chance of reaching a quarter-million miles. The study’s overall average is 5.4%.
Those figures are useful shopping clues—not promises that a new vehicle will reach that mileage or that a used example has another 250,000 miles left.
The buying question is bigger than “Will it last?” Ask whether the vehicle can remain safe, dependable and affordable to maintain. A car can reach a huge odometer reading while requiring repairs you would rather not pay for.
In This Guide
- Top 20 vehicles most likely to reach 250,000 miles
- What the percentages actually mean
- Longest-lasting brands
- How to use the rankings when shopping
- Should you buy a car with 250,000 miles?
- Longevity versus repair costs
- What helps a car remain usable longer?
- Can a car last 500,000 miles?
- Does Toyota give you a new car at one million miles?
- Frequently asked questions
Top 20 Vehicles Most Likely to Reach 250,000 Miles
The following entries come from the overall ranking in the iSeeCars study published September 15, 2026. This list includes passenger cars, SUVs and pickups; it excludes heavy-duty vehicles.
| Rank | Vehicle | Estimated chance of reaching 250,000+ miles |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toyota Sequoia | 42.3% |
| 2 | Lexus LS | 38.8% |
| 3 | Toyota 4Runner | 33.1% |
| 4 | Lexus RX Hybrid | 28.9% |
| 5 | Toyota Tundra | 28.2% |
| 6 | Toyota Tacoma | 25.0% |
| 7 | Lexus GX | 23.3% |
| 8 | Toyota Avalon | 23.2% |
| 9 | Toyota Highlander Hybrid | 20.7% |
| 10 | Honda Accord Hybrid | 18.5% |
| 11 | Honda HR-V | 17.6% |
| 12 | Lexus IS | 17.5% |
| 13 | Toyota Avalon Hybrid | 17.4% |
| 14 | Mercedes-Benz G-Class | 17.3% |
| 15 | Honda Civic | 15.0% |
| 16 | Honda Pilot | 14.3% |
| 17 | Honda Ridgeline | 13.7% |
| 18 | Honda Civic Hatchback | 13.2% |
| 19 | Acura MDX | 13.1% |
| 20 | Lexus RX | 12.8% |
What Percentage of Cars Reach 250,000 Miles?
The study’s 5.4% figure is a modeled probability, not a direct count showing that exactly 5.4% of all cars currently on the road have already reached that mileage.
iSeeCars says it analyzed data for more than 395 million vehicles, using average odometer readings at different ages in a proprietary model. Certain vehicles with insufficient data or discontinued models were excluded.
Our interpretation: Use this as a shortlist for further research. It does not measure the repair bill required to reach the milestone, guarantee original major components, or establish the reliability of every model year.
A model name can continue through major changes to its engine, transmission and design. An older generation’s reputation should not automatically become a prediction for a newly redesigned vehicle.
Similarly, a vehicle can leave service because of a crash, corrosion, ownership costs or other reasons. Failing to reach 250,000 miles does not necessarily mean its engine wore out.
Which Brands Have the Strongest Longevity Results?
In the supplied study, five brands exceed the overall average:
- Toyota: 19.7%
- Lexus: 14.4%
- Honda: 13.3%
- Acura: 9.5%
- GMC: 5.8%
Brand-level results should not override inspection findings. A neglected vehicle from a highly ranked brand can be a worse purchase than a carefully maintained alternative.
How to Use the Rankings Without Buying the Wrong Car
Start With the Kind of Vehicle You Actually Need
If you need an economical commuter, a large SUV’s position near the top does not automatically make it your best choice. Compare fuel, tires, insurance and maintenance for the exact vehicles you are considering.
If you need towing capacity or substantial passenger space, that changes the calculation. Longevity is one factor alongside suitability and ownership cost.
For fuel consumption, compare our guide to cars with the best gas mileage.
Research the Exact Year and Powertrain
Before paying a premium for a model’s reputation, identify its engine, transmission and relevant service requirements. Ask a mechanic familiar with that generation what expensive issues deserve inspection.
Check the VIN for open recalls as well. A strong longevity reputation does not eliminate the need to complete an applicable safety remedy.
Do Not Confuse Long Life With a Long Warranty
A warranty promises specified coverage under stated conditions. A longevity ranking estimates a mileage outcome. Neither replaces the other.
See What Car Has the Best Warranty? when comparing factory protection.
Should You Buy a Car With 250,000 Miles Already on It?
Possibly—but buying a car that has already reached the milestone is a different decision from choosing a model likely to get there. Its past survival does not establish how much useful life remains.
The FTC recommends an independent mechanical inspection and warns that a vehicle-history report is not a substitute for one.
| More encouraging | Reasons to pause |
|---|---|
| Detailed maintenance and repair invoices | “These last forever” offered instead of records |
| Inspection finds a sound structure and manageable repairs | Serious corrosion, overheating or major unresolved faults |
| Price leaves room for repairs and downtime | Purchase consumes the entire available budget |
| Major replacements are documented | Claims of a replacement engine or transmission cannot be verified |
| Seller permits an independent inspection | Seller refuses inspection or pressures you to skip it |
Ask for a written list of immediate needs and likely upcoming work. Pay particular attention to structural condition, leaks, cooling-system behavior, transmission operation, brakes and suspension.
For a hybrid, include an appropriate assessment of the high-voltage battery and related systems. A normal test drive alone does not establish their remaining life.
Budget test: Could you handle an unexpected repair and a period without the car after buying it? If not, a very high-mileage bargain may carry more risk than you can comfortably absorb.
For a broader mileage discussion, read At What Mileage Do Cars Start Having Issues?
A Car Can Last a Long Time and Still Become Too Expensive to Keep
The engine does not have to fail for an owner to decide that a vehicle is no longer worth repairing.
Our own Lexus experience illustrates that distinction: an ABS-related repair was quoted at around $4,000, and we decided to sell the car. The vehicle’s general reputation did not make that particular repair decision easy.
When judging a high-mileage car, consider more than the engine and transmission. Climate control, electronics, suspension, brakes, corrosion and other repairs can affect whether keeping it makes sense.
Compare the next few years of ownership—not just the odometer. Add likely repairs, routine maintenance and operating costs, then compare that total with a realistic replacement option.
Replacing a car also has costs. One repair bill does not automatically make replacement cheaper, just as a dependable model name does not justify every repair.
If you are considering selling, see the best mileage to sell a car.
What Helps a Car Stay Usable for Longer?
Use the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule for the exact vehicle and its operating conditions. Keep records so future decisions are based on what was actually done.
- Service by time as well as mileage. Low annual mileage does not make every maintenance item unnecessary.
- Use the specified fluids and parts. A generic “high-mileage” label does not replace the required specification.
- Investigate symptoms early. Repeated coolant loss, overheating, abnormal noises or changing transmission behavior deserve diagnosis.
- Keep safety repairs current. Reaching a milestone is not worthwhile if the vehicle is unsafe.
- Plan for wear and age. A long-lived vehicle will still need maintenance and may need substantial component replacement.
Start with How Often Should You Change Your Oil? Avoid buying unnecessary services simply because the car is older; low-mileage owners can also review the six-month non-oil service trap.
What Cars Can Last 500,000 Miles?
Individual vehicles can reach half a million miles or more. However, a 250,000-mile ranking cannot be converted into reliable odds of reaching twice that distance.
A useful high-mileage story should explain the vehicle’s duty cycle, age and repair history. Ask whether the engine, transmission or battery was replaced and what the owner spent along the way.
Time matters, too. At 12,500 miles annually, reaching 250,000 miles takes 20 years. Reaching 500,000 miles at that rate takes 40 years. Those are very different ownership projects from accumulating mileage rapidly through long-distance work.
Will Toyota Give You a New Car at One Million Miles?
Do not plan on it. A well-publicized exchange happened, but it should not be treated as a guaranteed owner benefit.
In 2016, Toyota exchanged a new Tundra for Victor Sheppard’s 2007 truck after it exceeded one million miles. Toyota reported that it still had its original engine and transmission and that engineers wanted to examine the vehicle.
That documented exchange was a specific arrangement. It does not establish a standing promise to provide every million-mile owner with a free replacement.
Source: Toyota’s account of the million-mile Tundra exchange.
Choose the Vehicle, Then Verify the Individual Car
The rankings offer a starting point. Your purchase decision should still come down to the exact model year, service history, inspection findings and total ownership cost.
A well-maintained car you already know may also deserve consideration before you replace it with an unfamiliar vehicle carrying a better reputation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which SUV has the strongest 250,000-mile result?
The Toyota Sequoia leads the overall table above. That result should guide further research rather than replace a model-year review and inspection.
What is the most reliable car that lasts the longest?
There is no single answer covering every generation and ownership situation. Longevity measures, repair frequency and maintenance costs answer different questions.
Does reaching 250,000 miles mean the original engine and transmission survived?
Not necessarily. An odometer records vehicle mileage, not proof that every major component is original. Check repair records when that distinction matters.
How many miles does a car realistically last?
There is no universal expiration mileage. Condition, use, age, maintenance and repair economics all affect when a vehicle leaves service.
Are highway miles always better than city miles?
Do not use that claim as a substitute for inspection. Ask how the vehicle was used, what it carried or towed, and whether its service records support the seller’s description.
What are the five worst SUVs to avoid?
A longest-lasting ranking does not establish a defensible “five worst” list. Evaluate specific model years, documented problems, recalls and repair costs instead of condemning an entire model name.
Should I pay extra for a Toyota or Lexus with very high mileage?
Only if the individual vehicle’s condition, records and price justify it. Do not pay for a reputation while ignoring expensive work that is already due.
Does a long warranty guarantee the car will reach 250,000 miles?
No. Warranty coverage has specific time, mileage and eligibility limits. It is not a guarantee of the vehicle’s ultimate lifespan.
Related Ownership Guides
- Is a Car Warranty Ever a Good Idea?
- Car Broke Again After Mechanic Repair: Is the Warranty Worth Anything?
- Most Dangerous Car Recalls: Which Ones Need Immediate Attention?
- Car Recall With No Fix Available: Can You Get a Buyback?
Sources
- iSeeCars: September 2026 Longest-Lasting Cars Study and Methodology
- FTC: Buying a Used Car From a Dealer
- Toyota: The Million-Mile Tundra Exchange
- NHTSA: Check Open Safety Recalls by VIN
Updated: September 30, 2026. Rankings reflect the cited study’s publication and methodology; individual vehicle outcomes vary.
