Getting to 300,000 miles on a car’s clock might seem like an unachievable goal, but careful upkeep can go far. People tend to buy luxury cars for comfort and prestige, but what about longevity? Modern cars from reliable brands can reach 200,000 miles or more if properly maintained. Still, making a luxury car last that long, or longer, requires attention beyond typical maintenance.
GOBankingRates spoke with Gary Hindenes of Gary’s Automotive Repair in Chandler, Arizona, who has more than 30 years of experience working on all types of cars. He’s seen firsthand what it takes to keep luxury vehicles running smoothly for the long haul and what most owners get wrong.
Here are his recommendations to maximizing a luxury car’s lifespan to reach 300,000 miles.
Keep Up With Electronic Repairs
Modern luxury cars are packed with expensive electronics, and Hindenes explained those electronics will fail at some point. Screens stop working, sensors fail and features get ignored rather than fixed. Over time, the car loses what made it special in the first place. The difference between a well-maintained high-end car and one that turns into “a shell of its former self” is whether the owner keeps up with repairs.
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Buy an Extended Warranty
According to Hindenes, extended warranties aren’t a nice-to-have for luxury cars, they’re part of a good maintenance strategy. Diagnostic fees alone can run $200 to $300 before a single part is replaced, so they’ll often end up paying for themselves. He stressed the importance of reading the contract carefully, especially terms like “as stated,” which means if something isn’t written into the warranty, it isn’t covered.
Find a Specialist and Stick With Them
“Luxury cars are so unbelievably complex now,” said Hindenes, “and you need someone who understands [them].”
Often relying on specific software and scanners to properly diagnose issues, the cost of repairs can be too high to risk going to a mechanic who doesn’t know a car and its common failure points. A missed diagnosis will be more than inconvenient — it’s likely to be very expensive.
Study the Car’s Real-World Track Record
Not every luxury model is built for a 300,000-mile lifespan, and new luxury cars in particular might not have a researchable track record. Looking at Facebook Marketplace listings of a particular model can paint a picture of its reliability
“What condition are they in, and how many miles are they averaging?” asked Hindenes. “The best way to know if you can maintain your car to last 300,000 miles is to see if any of them have a history of reliability.”
Long-Term Luxury Maintenance
Owning a luxury car means accepting that maintenance costs will be higher than average and staying on top of repairs is part of the experience, according to Hindenes. “Remember, it is a luxury car; you are going to pay more, so don’t complain about maintaining it.”
Longevity at this level demands money, patience and commitment. The reward is enjoying the car as it was designed, not limping along with broken features and deferred repairs.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: I Asked a Mechanic How To Make My Luxury Car Last 300,000 Miles: Here’s What He Said
