100,000 on the clock: One in seven vehicles on the road have passed the 'century' mileage as drivers keep their cars for longer, study reveals

Published: 14:54, 3 May 2026 | Updated: 14:54, 3 May 2026 One in seven vehicles on Britain's roads have over 100,000 miles on the clock - as drivers hang onto their cars for longer than ever, a new study reveals. According to new figures from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, more than six million vehicles passed their MOT last year with over 100,000 miles on the odometer.  Of the record 42.5 million vehicles currently in use, 400,000 have exceeded 200,000 miles, and 43,000 have passed the 300,000-mile mark.  Notably, 2,700 vehicles have recorded distances between 500,000 and one million miles.   Cars on the country's roads are older than ever as motorists hold onto them for longer with a 'make do and mend' approach amid the high cost of living, experts say. Almost half of cars - a record 45.7 per cent - are now more than a decade old, new Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders data shows. And the average age of cars has risen from six years and a month in 2003 to nine years and eight months last year - the oldest since records began. The DVSA data on mileage was obtained by online marketplace eBay via a Freedom of Information Act request. More than six million vehicles passed their MOT last year with over 100,000 miles on the odometer. eBay paid £3,790 for this 2014 Toyota Prius with 293,000 miles on the clock Laura Kennedy, founder of London's first all female garage Spanners with Manners, is pictured working on the Prius It shows that hybrid and electric vehicles are increasingly proving as durable as their traditional petrol and diesel counterparts. More than 160,000 hybrids and over 25,000 electric vehicles have cleared 100,000 miles. Despite drivers holding onto their cars for longer and millions of high-mileage cars passing MOT tests, eBay's own research found that four in five motorists - 81 per cent - are reluctant to buy one with over 100,000 miles on the clock. Its survey of 2,000 drivers found the average vehicle mileage to be 58,134 and owners typically keen to keep their motor for six years. The findings suggest that modern engineering is extending vehicle lifespans far beyond buyer expectations. To counter misconceptions, eBay paid £3,790 for a 2014 Toyota Prius with 293,000 miles on the clock, which it aims to keep on the road for as long as possible by maintaining it using new and certified recycled parts. Laura Kennedy, founder of London's first all female garage Spanners with Manners, said: 'Rising costs of living are a major factor why many motorists are keeping their cars for longer. 'For a lot of people, buying or leasing a new vehicle just isn't a priority right now, so motorists are taking a more proactive approach to maintenance or opting for well-regarded, reliable used makes and models. 'At the same time, cars themselves are lasting longer. Improvements in engineering mean modern vehicles are generally more reliable than they used to be, so hitting 100,000 miles is no longer the milestone it once was. 'Modern cars, like eBay's Toyota Prius are built to last far beyond what many drivers assume. 'With access to genuine new, used and certified recycled parts, it's also become easier and more affordable to keep older cars on the road. 'If a vehicle is well looked after, there's no reason it can't keep going well beyond that mileage. Natasha Rawal, founder of London's first all female garage Spanners with Manners, is pictured working on the Prius More than six million vehicles passed their MOT last year with over 100,000 miles on the odometer 'People often overlook high mileage cars but a well-maintained vehicle with more than 100,000 miles on the clock can be a bargain.' Explaining why drivers are stuck in more traffic jams than ever, the number of vehicles registered in Britain grew by 1.4 per cent to a record 42,549,649 motors last year, the SMMT figures show. Cars still dominate the roads with the 36.7 million total making up more than eight in ten - 82 per cent - of all vehicles. Five models - the Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa, Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus and Nissan Qashqai - make up one in seven - 14 per cent - of all cars on the road. Millions of vehicle parts and accessories are on offer on eBay with a My Garage tool allowing drivers to input their registration number to find compatible parts. Manufacturers including Toyota, Ford, MINI, BMW, Renault and Lexus have showrooms on eBay selling officially approved parts. Abir Tewari, UK director of commercial operations, parts and accessories at eBay, said: 'High-mileage cars can offer outstanding value, especially when they've been well maintained. 'Even the latest hybrid models, with their low running costs, are engineered to deliver high mileages. 'It's easier than ever for drivers to find the right components to help keep their vehicles running smoothly well past the 100,000-mile mark.' No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.