This article was one of the most read on Virgilio Motori in 2025. We propose it again
Buying a car means making an important investment, especially in a period in which the cost of living continues to rise. For this reason, many motorists choose models known for their reliability and durability, capable of covering kilometers without any unpleasant surprises. The story of Graeme Hebley, coming from New Zealand, takes this concept to the extreme and almost seems to defy the laws of automotive.
In 2000 Hebley decided to purchase one 1993 Toyota Corolla. At a distance beyond twenty-five yearsthat car is still his. But the truly surprising fact is another: the car has exceeded 2 million kilometers traveled and maintained original engine and transmission. An achievement that transforms this Corolla into a true legend on four wheels.
In total the car has behind it 33 years of life. Hebley, a New Zealand resident, used it daily to cover the long route between Wellington and New Plymouth. A journey which, week after week, allowed him to accumulate thousands of kilometres, an impressive mileage which, over the years, led the odometer to reach the record figure of 2 million.
The secret of extraordinary longevity
The Toyota Corolla in question had been imported from the United Kingdom and had already covered 80,000 kilometers at the time of purchase. Since then it has undergone rigorous and constant maintenance: for over twenty years the car has been checked every two weeks. A frequency that may seem excessive, but which becomes understandable considering that Hebley covered almost 10,000 kilometers between one overhaul and another.
This obsessive attention made the difference. All the main mechanical components are still the factory ones, with the only exception of the timing belt, which has been replaced approximately twenty times. The mechanic who looks after the car confirmed that neither the engine nor the transmission were ever replaced. A result that represents a true personal record and, at the same time, a concrete demonstration of the reliability of the Toyota brand.
It is no coincidence that in a US study by JD Power on new cars with fewer problems, Lexus, a premium brand which is part of the same Japanese group, took first place.
A myth that continues
Hebley’s story helps further fuel the myth of the Corolla, one of the most iconic models of the history of the automobile. Launched for the first time in 1966, the Corolla holds numerous records: since 1997 it has been considered the best-selling car of all time and was the first to exceed the threshold of 30 million units produced. According to estimates updated to 2021, Toyota would have exceeded 50 million units sold worldwide.
Between 2007 and 2019, in several markets — including Europe — the Corolla was marketed under the name Toyota Auris. Inside the Japanese company, its chassis is identified by the letter E. Numbers and acronyms that tell a story of global success, confirmed once again by a car capable of covering 2 million kilometers without ever giving up.
