I remember reading in the Guinness book of records (this would have been early 80's) about an American teacher who had a volvo P1800 (like Roger Moore had in the original 'the Saint' TV series). I don't recall what the actual mileage he had done (I think it was less than a million), but it was listed at the time, as being the highest mileage car. The P1800, while looking very sporty and sleek, was identical under the skin as the notoriously tough 'Amazon' (121, 122 and 123), with simple engine and running gear.

I was a passenger in a Pug 406 (diesel, presumably non-common rail version) minicab which had well over 400k miles on it - the driver said it drove very well: I wonder how long it would last (go rusty first)? I suppose the more hardy diesels of that era and the 1.9PD from VAG would probably fit that category too, maybe a million miles if they were really lucky and kept them well maintained?

Irv Gordon and his three mile million mile vehicle are setting all kinds of records. I recall reading that he changes the transmission oil every 25k miles and that engine oil changes were again very frequent. If the engineering is solid and there are no silly built in 'time bombs' that some 'modern' cars seem to have for delibrate premature failure then it is all about the maintenance.

These motors have some very dubious claims. For instance a 2016 swedish article claims it has done 515,000 miles www.expressen.se/motor/veteranbilar/han-har-kort-5.../ much more believable.

This article dated july 2013 www.classicandsportscar.com/news/csc-features/irv-...0 claims 2 million miles, with an engine rebuild at 675,000 miles. For him to reach 3,000,000 miles now requires 250,000 miles per year or 685 miles every single day of the year since 2013.

I dont believe it, its fake news.

Same for the tatty mercedes.

I wonder if there's a joke there about original brooms and having replaced 4 heads and two handles... :-)

First car - 10 year old 1961 Ford Anglia. Optional heater and wind up windows. Most DIY jobs done with 2 spanners and 2 screwdrivers. Needed decoking every 10-20k miles..

Roll on 20 years - company Ford Sierra. Heater, electric front windows, sunroof, AM/FM with 2 speakers. Quieter, faster, bigger and more economical than Anglia.

Another 20 years pass - mid range 2011 Octavia. Central locking, electric windows, aircon, variable speed wipers, CD/radio, 6 speakers, seat height adjustment, car computer, power steering, power brake discs etc. 93k miles and only two faults - water pump replaced under warranty + coil pack fault (£100). Faster, quieter, more economical than Sierra.

Will probablty change car next year - mid range hatch. Will likely have built in sat nav, bluetooth, climate control, xenon lights, parking sensors.

All this complexity has not reduced reliability as production processes work to increasingly fine tolerances, in cleaner factories using better designs (generally). They are like white goods and electronics - we just expect to "plug and go". Driven with some mechanical sympathy and serviced properly expect 10 years or 150k+ of fairly hassle free motoring.

Contrast this with the 60s or 70s - frequent repairs, 60-80k before engine replacement and 6-8 years before teminal rust.