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[Closed] What is the longest you have owned a car - and how is it going?

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1999 Yaris from new for 17 years. Sold it mid 2016 after we fixed a fuel pump failure. Wife wanted a bigger car. It's apparently still going.

Mine has just hit 16 and 120k miles - had it since 10 months old and 10k - Nissan Primera SVE with all the toys.  Only major replacements have been air con radiator (damaged by debris), air con pipe - fractured, and a new cat.  Other than regular services not much of note. Never broke down and only had AA out twice - once wife left doors open when she was in the next village and the battery was flat (I'd had some wine so couldn't drive out) and when a plastic clip broke on a wiper linkage - AA rainex'ed the car and I continued on my way and bought a replacement linkage for peanuts off ebay.

The only gremlins I get are occasional air bag lights - I just run the magic 'ignition key' switches, it scans for a code (normally driver's seat has been kicked), then I disconnect the driver's seat, reconnect it and do the 'system check' process with a few turns of the ignition - this re-scan's the system.  It's unfortunately an age thing as connectors get worn.

The car just passed it's MOT without any advisories.


 
Posted : 05/02/2018 10:44 pm
 grum
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Had a Berlingo for around 10 years, from 40k miles to 150k miles - has had minimal amounts of money spent on it. It's pretty tatty now but still working fine.


 
Posted : 05/02/2018 10:48 pm
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Honda HR-V bought new in 2004. Still going strong with over 230k on it.


 
Posted : 05/02/2018 10:52 pm
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Current one- Mondeo TDCI 2.2 estate. 5 years, 50000 miles, 2 turbos (one entirely my fault), 1 drowning in a loch, 2 minor fires, smells like it has a fifth injector shooting diesel straight into the exhaust but still came through its MOT with one trivial advisory

I was planning to sell it after the last MOT but realised I'm quite attached to it. Now I'm probably going to end up keeping it way past the point I should have binned it.

Oh and my motorbike, bought 2003 with 7000 miles on it, still got it and now it says 60000. We had some amazing times but it's been off the road for years.


 
Posted : 05/02/2018 11:11 pm
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11 years with my Cayman, 41k on the clock. Only expenses have been due to lack of use when I was living abroad (battery and gearbox electrical component changed for £400). Service interval every 2 years means I’ve spent more on bike maint.

Also had Shogun, Rav4 10 years trouble free and Yaris bought for the 3 kids to learn in is with my eldest and we’ve had that 14 years trouble free. 7yrs with Audi A6 110k miles no problems.


 
Posted : 05/02/2018 11:22 pm
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I had a 2001 130bhp Passat from new for 12 years. Unfortunately it after the first few trouble free years it barely managed 6 weeks without something needing replaced on it. I could write a book about it! The diesel Mazda 6 that replaced it has been a lot better although I ended up replacing all the injectors after they worked loose (how is that even possible???).


 
Posted : 06/02/2018 12:30 am
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Maybe I’ll wait until the forum is squared away...


 
Posted : 06/02/2018 12:41 am
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Oooh, I forgot.

In the same family (my father then us) -

53 Yaris D4D. Bought as ex demo at 3mths old for £6.5k
Cost one wheel bearing and one alternator.
Traded in for £650 at 138k and 14years.


 
Posted : 06/02/2018 1:52 am
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I bought my Honda FRV in 2006 when it was 12 months old with 8k on the clock. I sold it in September after 11 years during which it only failed to start first time on one occasion (flat battery). Other than a little surface rust around the nearside wheel arch it was still running great.


 
Posted : 06/02/2018 7:13 am
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I have an MX5 Mk1 (well it's a Eunos import to be exact) that was manufactured in 1995. I imported it from Japan in 1999 and have owned it ever since. It has now done just over 110,000 miles but still drives really well. In fact it never ever fails to put a smile on my face when I drive it.

I really can't see me ever selling it.


 
Posted : 06/02/2018 8:19 am
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Serial vehicle buyers here (so usually have a few) but one or two last a long time with us.
Had a Xantia estate, had that 42k Miles to 240k miles and 16 years. A 1275 Midget for 16 years, now with a best mate who’s had it 6 years. And the Vito, bought off here 9 years ago, have added a 100k Miles and still going strong. Mrs G has a Rav2 that was researched as a best vehicle to run for years and years, only 6 so far and 90k so far but hoping on forever. My current hack, whilst only on its second year with us, it has 164k miles on and going well.


 
Posted : 06/02/2018 8:26 am
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2001 Passat estate bought with 100k at 3 years and ran for 10 yrs + 90k. Before and after that changed cars every 3 to 4 years for one seemingly good reason or another.
The Tranny van in the 2nd post was a pretty high bar to start with...


 
Posted : 06/02/2018 8:30 am
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I started the current kit car around 2001, on the road 2003. It had a few years off the road when the diff exploded but back now (at least in the summer). It's only done about 3000 miles, but it's not the type to do long drives in (bike engine). I need to re-do the dash this year but no plans to sell it yet.


 
Posted : 06/02/2018 8:34 am
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Bought my 73 bay in 2001, probably done less than 10,000 miles in that time, spent more time on a recovery truck / in the garage than I've had it running. Been in dry storage for the last 4-5 years being slowly restored estimated time of completion 2040.

Had a 2001 V70 ex police that I bought in 2006ish with 100k on the clock that was still going strong at 180k+ when I parked it up when I moved to Australia in 2011. Reckon it would have been good for another 5years / 50k at least if the barn hadn't fallen on it...


 
Posted : 06/02/2018 8:46 am
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2000 Golf 2L "GTI" had the unfortunate accolade of being the slowest golf GTI VW ever made - our van apparently does 0-60 quicker - but I owned mine from 2004-2014 without anything major going wrong. Lots of smaller niggles though. EG a 3 door car dropping 4 electric windows.

Current 2010 mondeo has gone from 40k in 2013 to 140k with nothing but routine servicing but I'll probably still sell it in a year or so. Judging by all the horror stories I shouldn't rely on my car luck continuing ad infinitum!


 
Posted : 06/02/2018 8:59 am
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Transporter T5 had it for 6 years and now on 275k miles.

List of things done it would be longer than the EU thread


 
Posted : 06/02/2018 9:06 am
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At the other end of the spectrum...

I have a 2001 Honda Blackbird bought new for £6k. It now has 8.5k on it. It recently had a new ECU at ~£1k and stacks of servicing every couple of years at ~£200 - £300 per. It doesn't make sense economically but is fun when I (occasionally) ride it.


 
Posted : 06/02/2018 9:18 am
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Had a 57-plate 1.6D V50. Bought it at 75k and took it up to 180k. DPF replaced, then the turbo went. Got shot of it and now have a 64-plate 1.6D Octavia estate (bought it on 35k), which I'm hoping will do me until well into six figures. Key to it I think is not missing a service and driving them with respect. Thrash it when it needs it, steady distance driving all other times.


 
Posted : 06/02/2018 9:37 am
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1997 VW Polo bought for £1500 about 10 years ago. 50,000 done in it. Refuses to die but it's at a a stage now where loads of silly stuff is going wrong, dashboard packed in few months back, seat belts don't retract back, boot won't open.

Needs a timing belt and clutch slips if you boot it. Time is ticking on it.

2012 Fiesta got in 2014 with 47,000 on it now on 131,000. Needed thermostat housing, wishbone, droplink, it's on its 3rd starter and it's going to need it's 3rd clutch soon.

I can live with it needing clutches etc but if anything big goes wrong, it's going.


 
Posted : 06/02/2018 9:53 am
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My only ever new car ... 21/12/2001 with PDI mileage (9) VW Golf MKIV GT TDI 130 PD,

affectionately known as "Jazzy" in the household due to it being Jazz blue 🙂

Date is poignant as it's also my fav all time album 🙂

256853 miles later and still going strong. several rear wheel bearings and a warranty drive

belt tensioner. Still on the original clutch !!!!!!


 
Posted : 06/02/2018 9:57 am
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^^ 🙂


 
Posted : 06/02/2018 10:04 am
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It would be my Fiesta ST bought new March 2007 sold June 2016.

It was the definition of reliable. 85k on routine servicing. No MOT failures, still on original exhaust and battery. Just a steady diet of tyres, brakes and fluids. And two headlight bulbs and a taillight.

Saw it last year at a garage being driven by a young mum with two kids, She seemed faintly horrified that I was the previous owner


 
Posted : 06/02/2018 10:14 am
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Current daily driver bought from new;

2013 Toyota Corolla D4D currently on 325,400miles 🙂


 
Posted : 06/02/2018 10:50 am
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Saw it last year at a garage being driven by a young mum with two kids, She seemed faintly horrified that I was the previous owner

indeed , she probably got stung for a hell of a lot of bills when she bought the car if you did nothing to it for 85k 😀


 
Posted : 06/02/2018 11:55 am
 DT78
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1999 206 xsi - bought in 2001, sold in 2017, didn't do many miles as cycle alot - approx. 80k no major work required (apart from the cat going early on)

Clutch went inside a month after selling.....


 
Posted : 06/02/2018 12:41 pm
 Andy
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2002 Golf mk4. Came with 8 miles on odometer as a company car. After 4 years I bought it off company. Its now 15 1/2 and still going great. Was going to pass it on when got a van last year, but it sailed through its MOT and so for what its worth to sell may as well keep it. Fingers crossed it keeps going.


 
Posted : 06/02/2018 12:51 pm
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FIAT Doblo 8 years put on 80,000.

Hmm.

Front wishbones and dampers.

Rear dampers and mounts.

Injectors.

Radiator.

Interior plastics frangible.

2* brakes.

Random Italian/Turkish electrical nightmares.

Needs a clutch and the turbo will join in at some point.

Still, amazingly on the original exhaust.

Feels fine between random catastrophic failures.

To be fair it's had a really hard life and it's genuinely fun to drive.


 
Posted : 06/02/2018 1:10 pm
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'94 RX7 - 10 years this year.

I think it's on about 44k, about 8k miles in my ownership.Haven't driven it for 3 years.

2 Engine rebuilds, pretty much every part replaced/upgraded.

I'm not sure it's the best VFM I've ever got out of a car TBH.


 
Posted : 06/02/2018 1:21 pm
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Longest - the old MG but that shouldn't count.

Only other car is my 06 C-Max,bought at 30k in 2011 now at 112k. But has a growing list of faults and niggles which is making me consider ditching it rather than starting to throw money at it.


 
Posted : 06/02/2018 3:03 pm
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Merc E320Cdi Estate - Bought new Nov 2006 - currently at 204,000 miles.

Nothing too major, just regular serving, tyres, brakes, ball joints etc but had a turbo at about 160,000m (£1500) and new dampers and shocks in the last year (£1500) - when you get a big bill you want to hang on to it longer to get your money's worth....

Feels like it will just keep going. Ideally I hoping for about 300,000m from it.

It was about £40k new and current model one is £55k. My view is if you are spending that much it should last a good 250,000 - 300,000 miles.


 
Posted : 06/02/2018 3:05 pm
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Mazda 3 sport 2007 47000miles.

Tyres, 2 batteries. That's it, still runs smooth and quiet.

If it ever dies, will buy another.


 
Posted : 06/02/2018 3:31 pm
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Current company car, 8yrs and 108k miles

I can fit our tandem in the boot with just the front wheel and stoker bars removed so it's a keeper ☺️


 
Posted : 06/02/2018 3:43 pm
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Bought a 55 plate Discovery 3 in 2006 18k on it , now on 68k also bought a Mitsubishi Shogun 55 plate in 2006 11k on it now on 70k serviced them both on the dot for about 5 years then as and when, nothing more than tyres and batteries and a few more minor bits , Disco passed MOT yesterday , needed a bulb. No plans to change either as replacement costs for either would be astronomical and they both fly round any 300 mile trips I decide to do, so don`t see the need to chuck cash at newer.
Mate said to his wife in 1962 I am buying an MG F, she said you buy that and I am gone, it`s currently in his garage being given some serious TLC.


 
Posted : 06/02/2018 3:48 pm
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It was about £40k new and current model one is £55k. My view is if you are spending that much it should last a good 250,000 – 300,000 miles.

Depends, are you not just getting more miles from it because its economical to repair because it cost so much initially?

The list of niggles is almost all service stuff.

Pads and disks
Alternator
Power steering rack (common fault on that car)

Its only about £900 of work, but its more than the car is worth, if it were a Mercedes and still worth £6k (or whatever) the the equation is somewhat different but its no less likely to last 300k if the same money was spent on both.


 
Posted : 06/02/2018 4:27 pm
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I had 2 BMW 530d Auto Sport Tourings..one after the other.

1) black and leather all the toys did 175k and no troubles, dealer serviced. Only issue was the rear boot wouldnt lock (common problem) fixed by dealer.

2) dark grey and leather and a sunroof, 240k and only issue was the rear wash/wipe failed (common problem) fixed by dealer.

Both towed a small racing yacht and dinghy around Europe, effortlessly, rammed full of windsurfing gear and bikes.

Loved both, both PX'ed in.. last one PX'ed for an M3Conv which did 3500miles before meeting an unfortunate end (written off, not by me but its a story for another day) That ended my BMW affair..


 
Posted : 06/02/2018 5:19 pm
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