News
Which Cars Reach 400,000 km: Toyota Is 40 Times More Likely Than BMW
iSeeCars analysed mileage for 395 million vehicles: only 5 in 100 reach 250,000 miles. Brands, models, why hybrids last longer and what to check before buying.
Nov 11, 2026 · 3 min read · Autopapyrus
Only about 5 cars in 100 reach 400,000 km (250,000 miles). That is the estimate from the US company iSeeCars, whose study published on 15 September 2026 covered mileage data for more than 395 million vehicles. A Toyota has a 19.7% chance of getting there, a BMW 0.5%: almost a 40-fold difference.
In short
- The average car has a 5.4% chance of reaching 250,000 miles. Only 5 of 33 brands beat the average.
- Top brands: Toyota, Lexus, Honda. At the bottom: BMW, Audi, Land Rover, Porsche.
- Toyota Sequoia is the top model (42.3%), followed by the Lexus LS sedan (38.8%).
- Hybrids last longer on average: 8.2% against 5.4% for the average car.
- The data is from the US: Chinese brands and Lada are not included.
How it was calculated
iSeeCars took mileage data for more than 395 million vehicles, worked out the average miles per year of age and used its own model to estimate the probability of reaching 250,000 miles. Heavy-duty trucks, models with small samples and models discontinued before the 2022 model year were excluded. This is a model estimate, not a count of cars that actually reached that mileage.
Brands
| Brand | Chance to reach 250,000 miles |
|---|---|
| Toyota | 19.7% |
| Lexus | 14.4% |
| Honda | 13.3% |
| Acura | 9.5% |
| GMC | 5.8% |
| Average car | 5.4% |
| Mazda | 5.3% |
| Mercedes-Benz | 2.6% |
| Volkswagen | 1.5% |
| Kia, Hyundai, Mitsubishi | 0.8% |
| BMW, Audi | 0.5% |
| Land Rover | 0.4% |
| Porsche | 0.3% |
Models
| Model | Chance |
|---|---|
| Toyota Sequoia (No. 1) | 42.3% |
| Lexus LS | 38.8% |
| Lexus RX Hybrid | 28.9% |
| Lexus GX | 23.3% |
| Toyota Highlander Hybrid | 20.7% |
| Mercedes-Benz G-Class | 17.3% |
| Honda Civic | 15.0% |
| Honda CR-V | 12.7% |
| Toyota Camry | 8.8% |
| Toyota RAV4 | 7.9% |
| Mazda CX-5 | 6.8% |
| Toyota Corolla | 5.4% |
| Kia Rio (hatchback) | 4.4% |
The G-Class is the only German model near the top, while Mercedes-Benz as a brand scores 2.6%.
Why hybrids last longer
By class: sedans 3.4%, SUVs 4.8%, hybrids and EVs 8.2%, pickups 11.1%. In Toyota hybrids the engine and two motor-generators are linked by a planetary gear set, with no conventional clutch gearbox. Consumer Reports' 2026 report says hybrids have about 15% fewer problems than gasoline cars.
Who is missing
The Land Cruiser is not in the tables because it left the US market before the 2022 model year. The Hyundai Solaris was never sold there. They were not rated worse, they simply were not counted. Chinese brands and Lada are not in the study either.
What to check before buying a high-mileage car
- Service history: receipts, dealer records, regular oil changes.
- Oil and cold start: unusual noises, smoke, oil level and colour.
- Gearbox when warm: jerks and slipping under acceleration and shifts.
- Body and frame underneath: rust and signs of repair.
- A diagnostic check before the deal, not after.
Even for Toyota the chance is below 20%, so the condition of the specific car matters more than the badge.
Sources
- iSeeCars, Longest Lasting Cars Study and Longest Lasting Car Brands Study, 15 September 2026.
- Hybrid layout: Toyota Prius press release (1997), Motor.com.
- Hybrid reliability: Consumer Reports, Annual Auto Brand Report Card 2026.
What next