A durable Citroen Xsara tops the record for the car still on the road with the most miles on the clock – an astonishing 999,994.
Other vehicles just short of the million mark include a Mercedes C Class, two LDV Maxus vans, a Vauxhall Corsa, a pair of Range Rovers, a VW Golf, a Citroen C3 and a Honda Civic.
Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency figures also revealed the top 10 most durable models still on our roads that have done over 750,000 miles.
The average distance a motorist will cover in their lifetime – across all cars – is 750,000 miles, which is equivalent to the moon and back twice.
The DVSA data was obtained by online repairs marketplace ClickMechanic.
Its co-founder Andrew Jervis said: “Most people swap their cars well before they reach six figures on the odometer.
“To see so many on this list with nearly a million miles on the clock is staggering. The more popular models – Vauxhalls, Volkswagens and Fords – are more likely to appear due to the sheer weight of numbers produced.
“But that shouldn’t take away from the fact they are reliable motors that have served people well for so many years. There are also a few surprises.
“The MG ZT hasn’t rolled off the production line since 2005, while Audi TTs will also raise a few eyebrows as they are not really seen as workhorses.”
Courier David Wright, 56, of Woking, Surrey, bought a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van with 50,000 on the clock for £15,000 in 2019. He’s now completed more than 438,000 miles with hardly any problems.
He said: “I wanted a Sprinter specifically because it is the only van to have if you drive long distances like I do. It is a big van too.”
Ashley Rice’s Mercedes-Benz Vito has racked up more than 308,000 miles in 11 years. Mr Rice, 45, who runs an assets management contractors in Selly Oak, Birmingham, has never considered getting rid of it.
He said with the zero emissions deadline in 2030 he expected more people will hold on to cars.
Ashley added: “The rising cost and low availability of second-hand cars are further factors bound to influence vehicle ownership trends.”
