My trusty 2014 Isuzu Dmax is approaching the 200K mark and (touch wood) has not missed a beat to date. I have the services done every 10K with oil and filter changed and if I have been doing any significant amount of towing my 2.2 tonne van during that period then I have the oil and filter changed at 5K.
I don't know whether to hang onto the car or look at updating. it goes really well and since I have owned it since new, I know its complete history.
Are there any posters who have a vehicle of comparable or older vintage that have kept them and how many Ks have you managed to rack up on them without major expense.
I spoke to someone the other day that had a 3 litre diesel car that told me he had over 400K on the clock and was going just as well.
Any thoughts as to how much mileage one could expect to get out of a similar car to mine before it became too expensive to keep.
Peter_n_Margaret said
05:02 PM Sep 25, 2025
Our 1994 OKA was a tour bus in its former life and had 300,000km on the clock when we purchased it in 2003. It had not been looked after. I had the motor rebuilt because I needed high reliability, not because it particularly needed it. It has now been driven 600,000km (and counting) and much of that has been over very demanding country. I am not considering another motor rebuild at this time, or any time in the foreseeable future, but if/when it is required it will still be a good value vehicle. It is rare that I need to add any oil between the 10,000km oil changes.
Approaching 200.000km, ya dragging ya feet a bit mate. I'm well into the 200,000km's and is as you know 2014 vintage as well. The Collie that is, I'm of much older vintage
I remember when you put it in for a service up in Townsville mate. For memory, and memory is fading slowly, that was the first time we met. The meeting of great minds that day and should have been the headline story on the Townsville news that night. Oh well.
I have no intentions of parting company with my Collie.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
-- Edited by Dougwe on Thursday 25th of September 2025 05:24:03 PM
Rodsvan said
03:53 AM Sep 26, 2025
A lot of the older lower tech engines etc used to last a very long time with just basic maintenance. With newer and more complex engines and mechanical items it seems that it's often a matter of luck, with some people with a particular car model having expensive problems while others have none.
My 2012 BT50 has had expensive modifications made so that passenger seat lowers out of the door and down almost to ground level so that my disabled wife can get in/out. Due to the mods we have decided to keep it as long as possible and I did the 350,000km service yesterday. So far it's just been normal servicing costs (by me) plus a total of $110 in costs for two minor items that have failed. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, but I'm expecting it to start costing more soon.
I think truck engines such as (the Perkins?) in Peter's Oka are quite different in longevity to passenger cars. I've driven trucks with over a million kms on the original engine.
-- Edited by Rodsvan on Friday 26th of September 2025 03:55:02 AM
Hendo said
10:35 AM Sep 28, 2025
My 2012 D-Max just clicked over 150,000 so I think I'll be keeping it for quite some time to come.
Have had no issues with it, Upgraded suspension, 2 inch lift and a remap, sings like a bird.
smwhiskey said
01:34 PM Sep 28, 2025
2003 Pajero with almost 250K on the clock. Had it since 2011 when it has 117000 on the clock. Due to unfortunate circumstances, it never went on the grey nomads trip the original owners planned so I ended up with an almost stock Pajero that had spent the previous 18 months being driven by a little old lady to church on Sundays.
Got the the Fuel Injection system sorted out in 2012, Radiator in 2015 (due to accident) and again just recently, alternator earlier this year and after 10 years and 70000km on the last set, put a new set of tyres on last week.
Currently getting it serviced every 5000km or 12 month whichever occurs sooner and as long as I keep on top of the niggles, can't see any reason why it won't last me another 10 years at least. By which time I'll have retired and decided whether to upgrade to a more modern tug or not.
Magnarc said
08:05 AM Sep 29, 2025
Hi Simon, The Pajero was renowned for reliability. We had the 2010 model for ten yrs or so and I was very attached to the car, but when we stopped touring, (88 this year) there was no need for a 4wd.
You will get a lot more klms out of it I'm sure.
valiant81 said
11:01 AM Sep 30, 2025
Hi all; We have a 1995 Pajero with the diesel engine ( 2.8 Liter ) and now has reached it's 30th birthday with. We bought it 16 years ago with at the time had 150,000 Kms on the clock and mainly to pull our caravans over the years. It now has 286,000 Kms. Yes i have had a few repairs done as well as the usual services ( oil and filter ) every 12 months. The old girl still runs like a clock. One of the best models that Mitsubishi made.
Just be cause it is a few years old does not mean that it has reached the end of it's life. If it does not give you any trouble and is reliable why upgrade ??
-- Edited by valiant81 on Tuesday 30th of September 2025 11:02:14 AM
Possum3 said
12:06 PM Oct 7, 2025
Older and less technicalities do allow you to better diagnose/predict potential and actual problems - If it ain't broke don't swap for an unknown quantity.
Ask yourself; How much longer do you want to tow a van? Do I want to improve my image on the road? Can I buy a new vehicle with excess funds at hand?
StewG said
05:28 PM Oct 7, 2025
My 2013 Land Rover D4 has done close on 250,000 km to date and I have no intention of disposing of it until I can't go caravanning anymore. It is a magnificent towing vehicle and while I can't say it has been trouble-free nor inexpensive, it is what it is. Serviced every 10,000km, on its fourth or fifth set of tyres and its third cranking battery, replaced both inlet manifolds ($$$ ouch!), replaced two door locks, replaced mass airflow sensor, replaced timing chains, had gearbox checked (all ok) - that's about it. It had done 120,000 km when I bought it.
DMaxer said
11:08 AM Oct 20, 2025
Thanks for the advice everyone. I really like my car and after speaking with others and reading these posts I think I will keep it.
Gundog said
02:47 PM Oct 20, 2025
My 010 Ranger is just about to rolliver to 350.000k considering its worth SFA as a trade-in.
Theres no reason to replace it. even a $20k rebuild, would be more cost effective to buying a new or 2nd hand low K replacement.
Warren-Pat_01 said
03:52 PM Dec 22, 2025
Hi DMaxer,
I'm convinced that regular servicing & reasonable driving are the keys to vehicle longevity.
When I had our first Patrol's engine (MQ - 1981 model) rebuilt, the mechanic have me some 'bad news'. He wanted to put my crankshaft on display to show people what a crankshaft that had done 390,000 Kms looked like with regular servicing! It only needed polishing. The only reason I had the job done was the head had cracked & the car was getting a bit long in the tooth. As I bought the car second hand, I only knew it's history from 81,000kms (16 years). I changed the engine oil every 7,500kms.
The next Patrol (1992 model) was again bought second hand at 90,000kms - this was the 'magical' 4.2L engine that I added gas injection to at 410,000kms. The only major job on this car was a new clutch - in 12 years & with 470,000kms on the clock. The next one was a 2003 model with 271,000 Kms on the clock - it cost an arm & a leg at $30,000 but these things then were hens' teeth! It was a 4.2LTDi & liked a bit of a drink of diesel until again I added gas injection. Other than the gas, we added nothing major to this car in 7 years other than another 215,000 Kms! With the latter 2 cars, I changed the oil every 10,000kms.
I had started to look at something a bit smaller & with gas getting hard to get in NQ, the gas agency in Adelaide closing down, we bought our 2019 D-Max. That now has 142,000 Kms on the speedo - the only reason I would consider getting a new one is to gain the extra 50mm of leg room in the back & perhaps the rear diff lock - but do I really need it? I have added a scan gauge, catch can, throttle controller & a transmission cooler. The D-Max is more economical than the last Patrol - around town but with the van on, they were similar.
I trust my info is of some use to you. How much would you get for your 2012 model? I know they cost in excess of $60,000 & with new engines being smaller, producing more power, & service distances being wound out - what is the expected life of these cars?
rmoor said
09:35 PM Dec 22, 2025
I bought a single cab 2022 Dmax ute to tow my little caravan around the traps to various fishing expeditions and vets golf and vets cricket tournaments.
Bought a beaut steel tray for the back from a good bloke at Forbes NSW with a pull out BBQ unit on one side and full electrical 12V and 240 throughout.
3 separate sections in it and it does the job for me OK.
It threw a weld on hinge last week, but a local welder fixed that issue for less than 100 bucks.
Good on fuel and does the job but I am only towing a little 11 footer pop top.
So the ute handles it easy and I get between 10.5 to about 11.5 KM per litre, depending on the trip I am on.
Very happy with this vehicle, but a bit dirty on the lane recognition stuff and the auto brakes, cameras etc.
Mind you, the reversing camera is a blessing.
Have been driving for over 50 years, booked once, about 1974, and can drive, so don't see the need for all that technology.
A bit concerned what happens if it throw's in the towel in before I do though?
Hoping this unit, if I look after it well will see me out.......
Rodsvan said
03:34 AM Dec 23, 2025
I read an ABC news article about couple of days ago about a Victorian Stock Agent who has just clocked up 999,999 on a 200 series Landcruiser with the original drivetrain. He didn't want it to hit the 1 million because it would have gone back to zero kms. Very rare for a modern passenger vehicle to get that sort of milage.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12-21/toyota-landcruiser-4wd-clocks-up-one-million-kilometres/106072806
rmoor said
08:35 AM Dec 23, 2025
True.
I guess if any vehicle is going to do it, that's the one.
When in Canberra many years ago, a mate who owned a fleet of taxi's said he always used Ford's.
The Ford sedans didn't perform or go as quick as the Commodores of 20 - 30 years ago.
He said the Commodores were too quick and didn't last as the part time drivers used to flog them too hard.
I think many of those old Ford taxi's used to wrack up plenty of miles also......
rmoor said
08:40 AM Dec 23, 2025
Even though I drive an Isuzu ute.
I love that new Toyota advert where dozens of farm dogs end up in the back of a Toyota ute.
The old codger on the veranda - "Even the dawgs know"..........
watsea said
02:46 PM Dec 23, 2025
Not a tug but a taxi:
A few years ago, at a fuel outlet (I do not call them servos any more), I bumped into a bloke who had previously been one of my daughters sport coaches. He was a driver for a taxi.
I saw that he was driving a Toyota Prius Hybrid. I asked him about how it went. He told me that it had one over 700,000km and on its original battery.
msg said
07:45 AM Dec 25, 2025
I have a 2008 Ford Transit. 203,000ks. Still going well. No work needed so far other than standard maintenance.
dogbox said
09:02 AM Dec 25, 2025
with the cost of all the new imports and 7 year plus warranties being cheap it is almost worth keeping the oldies as spares
Hollowfrog said
08:14 PM Dec 27, 2025
2004 single cab Landcruiser Ute ticked over 400,000 mid year. Serviced by the same person for the whole of its post-warranty life. Nil break downs. Just consumables and Toyota recommended replacements. Has been a double horse float tug for 21 years.
-- Edited by Hollowfrog on Saturday 27th of December 2025 08:15:02 PM
erad said
10:03 AM Dec 28, 2025
The Dmax is basically a truck. If it has been regularly serviced and driven sensibly, I would confidently expect over 400000-km from it. People focus on the engine. If you have regularly changed the oil AND coolant, 400000- km is the minimum I would expect from the engine . You have to consider other factors as well - transmission, suspension, seats, safety. Again, regular oil changes in the transmission will ensure longevity Modern 4WDs are a lot more habitable ans safer, but frankly I doubt their longevity.
If you have a bullbar, check the mounting bolts onto the chassis. They can come loose over time, and vibration over corrugations etc will cause fatigue in the chassis rails and cracks.
Cupie said
01:04 PM Jan 27, 2026
I couldn't let this one go without putting in a plug for my beaut 1995 GQ 4.2 efi Nissan Patrol.
(Sorry about the delay, I don't visit the site too often these days)
I got it in 1998/9 with <50,000 km on the clock after 2 owners. The first seemed to use it rarely & finally abandoned it to be re-possessed when returning home overseas. After sitting unused for about 18months, the next guy got it at auction and used it mainly as a daily driver from Gold Coast to Brisbane CBD. His Pit Bull was getting a bit rough on the back seat so he sold it to me and bought a ute.
I used it exclusively for pulling a 21'6" 2.4ton Jayco on the black top at circa 90km/hr. Serviced it myself in accordance with the handbook except for occasional 'peace of mind' services by Patrol Specialists. Always used Penrite products.
It has now done 298,000km and is running better than ever. But still rides like what it is - a Truck.
It has never done corrugations or been on the beach. Did all that with hire vehicles and old holdens when I was a lad.
I suffered a scare recently when the ECU went belly up but a <$1000 PCB rebuild made it as good as new without what had been a persistent miss at idling and also improved fuel consumption .. just a bit. It is thirsty averaging about 19L/100k on long van trips.
I have replaced a couple of thrust (clutch release) bearings and rear wheel outer oil seals over the years, but that's about it for mechanical issues. I have personal theories on the causes but I won't bore you with them.
I still get regular approaches from potential buyers, mainly young guys who want to go bush bashing and real old guys who regret ever selling their old GQs.
We will probably part with it and the van this year (2026) as it will be my 85th year and I think it's about that time.
The whole rig Van and GQ cost us about $65,000 in 1999 and I think that the lot will go for about $30,000, so not a bad investment I think.
We'll probably sell the rig & our daily driver and pick up a plug in hybrid.
My trusty 2014 Isuzu Dmax is approaching the 200K mark and (touch wood) has not missed a beat to date. I have the services done every 10K with oil and filter changed and if I have been doing any significant amount of towing my 2.2 tonne van during that period then I have the oil and filter changed at 5K.
I don't know whether to hang onto the car or look at updating. it goes really well and since I have owned it since new, I know its complete history.
Are there any posters who have a vehicle of comparable or older vintage that have kept them and how many Ks have you managed to rack up on them without major expense.
I spoke to someone the other day that had a 3 litre diesel car that told me he had over 400K on the clock and was going just as well.
Any thoughts as to how much mileage one could expect to get out of a similar car to mine before it became too expensive to keep.
Our 1994 OKA was a tour bus in its former life and had 300,000km on the clock when we purchased it in 2003.
It had not been looked after.
I had the motor rebuilt because I needed high reliability, not because it particularly needed it.
It has now been driven 600,000km (and counting) and much of that has been over very demanding country.
I am not considering another motor rebuild at this time, or any time in the foreseeable future, but if/when it is required it will still be a good value vehicle. It is rare that I need to add any oil between the 10,000km oil changes.
Pic taken in 2024.
Cheers,
Peter
G'day BigD,
Approaching 200.000km, ya dragging ya feet a bit mate. I'm well into the 200,000km's and is as you know 2014 vintage as well. The Collie that is, I'm of much older vintage
I remember when you put it in for a service up in Townsville mate. For memory, and memory is fading slowly, that was the first time we met. The meeting of great minds that day and should have been the headline story on the Townsville news that night. Oh well.
I have no intentions of parting company with my Collie.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
-- Edited by Dougwe on Thursday 25th of September 2025 05:24:03 PM
A lot of the older lower tech engines etc used to last a very long time with just basic maintenance. With newer and more complex engines and mechanical items it seems that it's often a matter of luck, with some people with a particular car model having expensive problems while others have none.
My 2012 BT50 has had expensive modifications made so that passenger seat lowers out of the door and down almost to ground level so that my disabled wife can get in/out. Due to the mods we have decided to keep it as long as possible and I did the 350,000km service yesterday. So far it's just been normal servicing costs (by me) plus a total of $110 in costs for two minor items that have failed. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, but I'm expecting it to start costing more soon.
I think truck engines such as (the Perkins?) in Peter's Oka are quite different in longevity to passenger cars. I've driven trucks with over a million kms on the original engine.
-- Edited by Rodsvan on Friday 26th of September 2025 03:55:02 AM
Have had no issues with it, Upgraded suspension, 2 inch lift and a remap, sings like a bird.
2003 Pajero with almost 250K on the clock. Had it since 2011 when it has 117000 on the clock. Due to unfortunate circumstances, it never went on the grey nomads trip the original owners planned so I ended up with an almost stock Pajero that had spent the previous 18 months being driven by a little old lady to church on Sundays.
Got the the Fuel Injection system sorted out in 2012, Radiator in 2015 (due to accident) and again just recently, alternator earlier this year and after 10 years and 70000km on the last set, put a new set of tyres on last week.
Currently getting it serviced every 5000km or 12 month whichever occurs sooner and as long as I keep on top of the niggles, can't see any reason why it won't last me another 10 years at least. By which time I'll have retired and decided whether to upgrade to a more modern tug or not.
Hi Simon, The Pajero was renowned for reliability. We had the 2010 model for ten yrs or so and I was very attached to the car, but when we stopped touring, (88 this year) there was no need for a 4wd.
You will get a lot more klms out of it I'm sure.
Hi all; We have a 1995 Pajero with the diesel engine ( 2.8 Liter ) and now has reached it's 30th birthday with. We bought it 16 years ago with at the time had 150,000 Kms on the clock and mainly to pull our caravans over the years. It now has 286,000 Kms. Yes i have had a few repairs done as well as the usual services ( oil and filter ) every 12 months. The old girl still runs like a clock. One of the best models that Mitsubishi made.
Just be cause it is a few years old does not mean that it has reached the end of it's life. If it does not give you any trouble and is reliable why upgrade ??
-- Edited by valiant81 on Tuesday 30th of September 2025 11:02:14 AM
Ask yourself; How much longer do you want to tow a van? Do I want to improve my image on the road? Can I buy a new vehicle with excess funds at hand?
My 2013 Land Rover D4 has done close on 250,000 km to date and I have no intention of disposing of it until I can't go caravanning anymore. It is a magnificent towing vehicle and while I can't say it has been trouble-free nor inexpensive, it is what it is. Serviced every 10,000km, on its fourth or fifth set of tyres and its third cranking battery, replaced both inlet manifolds ($$$ ouch!), replaced two door locks, replaced mass airflow sensor, replaced timing chains, had gearbox checked (all ok) - that's about it. It had done 120,000 km when I bought it.
Thanks for the advice everyone. I really like my car and after speaking with others and reading these posts I think I will keep it.
My 010 Ranger is just about to rolliver to 350.000k considering its worth SFA as a trade-in.
Theres no reason to replace it. even a $20k rebuild, would be more cost effective to buying a new or 2nd hand low K replacement.
I'm convinced that regular servicing & reasonable driving are the keys to vehicle longevity.
When I had our first Patrol's engine (MQ - 1981 model) rebuilt, the mechanic have me some 'bad news'. He wanted to put my crankshaft on display to show people what a crankshaft that had done 390,000 Kms looked like with regular servicing! It only needed polishing. The only reason I had the job done was the head had cracked & the car was getting a bit long in the tooth. As I bought the car second hand, I only knew it's history from 81,000kms (16 years). I changed the engine oil every 7,500kms.
The next Patrol (1992 model) was again bought second hand at 90,000kms - this was the 'magical' 4.2L engine that I added gas injection to at 410,000kms. The only major job on this car was a new clutch - in 12 years & with 470,000kms on the clock. The next one was a 2003 model with 271,000 Kms on the clock - it cost an arm & a leg at $30,000 but these things then were hens' teeth! It was a 4.2LTDi & liked a bit of a drink of diesel until again I added gas injection. Other than the gas, we added nothing major to this car in 7 years other than another 215,000 Kms! With the latter 2 cars, I changed the oil every 10,000kms.
I had started to look at something a bit smaller & with gas getting hard to get in NQ, the gas agency in Adelaide closing down, we bought our 2019 D-Max. That now has 142,000 Kms on the speedo - the only reason I would consider getting a new one is to gain the extra 50mm of leg room in the back & perhaps the rear diff lock - but do I really need it? I have added a scan gauge, catch can, throttle controller & a transmission cooler. The D-Max is more economical than the last Patrol - around town but with the van on, they were similar.
I trust my info is of some use to you. How much would you get for your 2012 model? I know they cost in excess of $60,000 & with new engines being smaller, producing more power, & service distances being wound out - what is the expected life of these cars?
Bought a beaut steel tray for the back from a good bloke at Forbes NSW with a pull out BBQ unit on one side and full electrical 12V and 240 throughout.
3 separate sections in it and it does the job for me OK.
It threw a weld on hinge last week, but a local welder fixed that issue for less than 100 bucks.
Good on fuel and does the job but I am only towing a little 11 footer pop top.
So the ute handles it easy and I get between 10.5 to about 11.5 KM per litre, depending on the trip I am on.
Very happy with this vehicle, but a bit dirty on the lane recognition stuff and the auto brakes, cameras etc.
Mind you, the reversing camera is a blessing.
Have been driving for over 50 years, booked once, about 1974, and can drive, so don't see the need for all that technology.
A bit concerned what happens if it throw's in the towel in before I do though?
Hoping this unit, if I look after it well will see me out.......
I guess if any vehicle is going to do it, that's the one.
When in Canberra many years ago, a mate who owned a fleet of taxi's said he always used Ford's.
The Ford sedans didn't perform or go as quick as the Commodores of 20 - 30 years ago.
He said the Commodores were too quick and didn't last as the part time drivers used to flog them too hard.
I think many of those old Ford taxi's used to wrack up plenty of miles also......
I love that new Toyota advert where dozens of farm dogs end up in the back of a Toyota ute.
The old codger on the veranda - "Even the dawgs know"..........
A few years ago, at a fuel outlet (I do not call them servos any more), I bumped into a bloke who had previously been one of my daughters sport coaches. He was a driver for a taxi.
I saw that he was driving a Toyota Prius Hybrid. I asked him about how it went. He told me that it had one over 700,000km and on its original battery.
2004 single cab Landcruiser Ute ticked over 400,000 mid year. Serviced by the same person for the whole of its post-warranty life. Nil break downs. Just consumables and Toyota recommended replacements. Has been a double horse float tug for 21 years.
-- Edited by Hollowfrog on Saturday 27th of December 2025 08:15:02 PM
If you have a bullbar, check the mounting bolts onto the chassis. They can come loose over time, and vibration over corrugations etc will cause fatigue in the chassis rails and cracks.
I couldn't let this one go without putting in a plug for my beaut 1995 GQ 4.2 efi Nissan Patrol.
(Sorry about the delay, I don't visit the site too often these days)
I got it in 1998/9 with <50,000 km on the clock after 2 owners. The first seemed to use it rarely & finally abandoned it to be re-possessed when returning home overseas. After sitting unused for about 18months, the next guy got it at auction and used it mainly as a daily driver from Gold Coast to Brisbane CBD. His Pit Bull was getting a bit rough on the back seat so he sold it to me and bought a ute.
I used it exclusively for pulling a 21'6" 2.4ton Jayco on the black top at circa 90km/hr. Serviced it myself in accordance with the handbook except for occasional 'peace of mind' services by Patrol Specialists. Always used Penrite products.
It has now done 298,000km and is running better than ever. But still rides like what it is - a Truck.
It has never done corrugations or been on the beach. Did all that with hire vehicles and old holdens when I was a lad.
I suffered a scare recently when the ECU went belly up but a <$1000 PCB rebuild made it as good as new without what had been a persistent miss at idling and also improved fuel consumption .. just a bit. It is thirsty averaging about 19L/100k on long van trips.
I have replaced a couple of thrust (clutch release) bearings and rear wheel outer oil seals over the years, but that's about it for mechanical issues. I have personal theories on the causes but I won't bore you with them.
I still get regular approaches from potential buyers, mainly young guys who want to go bush bashing and real old guys who regret ever selling their old GQs.
We will probably part with it and the van this year (2026) as it will be my 85th year and I think it's about that time.
The whole rig Van and GQ cost us about $65,000 in 1999 and I think that the lot will go for about $30,000, so not a bad investment I think.
We'll probably sell the rig & our daily driver and pick up a plug in hybrid.