Ultra-high mileage: experiences and expectations?

[daniel575]

Got a Leon 1.6 TDI from 2013 (SE, Tech pack).

I'm at 227k km now (141k miles), in just over 4 years.

I'm just wondering, is this car going to get me to a million km or will I experience some sort of dramatic failures soon? I'm having it properly maintained, of course - timing belt has also been replaced already at 210k km (per SEAT's indication).

Just wondering whether I should start worrying for a day when it will suffer some major engine failure or some sort of wear & tear that will be impossible to repair.
I've only had to have brake parts, a single timing belt, and the shock absorbers replaced so far. Other than that, no issues at all.

The car is perfectly fine for me still and I'm not looking to change (Ateca looks very nice, or maybe next years' bigger brother, but I'm not keen to spend that much right now).

So, what do y'all think? How are my chances of making it to 500k km with this car? Who else has reached even higher mileage on a mk3 (especially a 1.6 TDI) and what have you run in to so far?

 

[ZK_FR150]

Wow 141k, I thought mine was high with 102k.
You might even have the highest mileage mk3 on here so you might be pushed to find others have the same experiences.
For me ive only had to do tyres and brake pads/discs so far
Cam belt/water pump will come at 120k but so far so good.

You always hear people say diesels are just getting broken in at 100k so I guess with proper servicing and changing the usual wear and tear items you will most likely break that 300k mark, plenty of vids of regular cars doing that mileage on YouTube

 

[CUPRoAr]

I think you would be doing very well to make 500,000km. At that mileage i think its potluck as to whether you got a good engine or a friday afternoon special.

 

[R4CK5]

If an engine is well maintained and looked after with the odd part replaced here and there then it is possible to keep it going and going. Just ends up like trigger's broom!! The problem is that as the car gets older the parts that need replacing tend to be the harder and more expensive to replace

 

[KXL]

Are the DRLs or LED headlights still working fine, or they have gone dim (yellowish).

Also assuming you do usual highways and put regular branded diesel or supermarket stuff?

 

[daniel575]

Are the DRLs or LED headlights still working fine, or they have gone dim (yellowish).

Also assuming you do usual highways and put regular branded diesel or supermarket stuff?

Lights are all fine, no issues at all. I have headlights on most of the time. I did have them replaced about 1 year after I got the car, when I moved from the UK to the Netherlands. Pretty expensive. Still have the whole UK lights set stored on my attic (front and rear) - if anyone wants them, get in touch, I'll sell them for 50% off the new price, could even drop them off when I'm in the UK again.

I use the cheapest possible diesel, supermarket stuff where available (we don't have that in most of mainland Europe outside of France and Spain). Usually unmanned stations here in the Netherlands (Tango, Tinq). I try to stay far away from the expensive ones like Shell, Total and Esso. I see no reason to use expensive fuel... it's expensive enough as is.... you know, my road tax bill went from 20 GBP annually in the UK to 1332 euros a year in the Netherlands....

 

[EddieP]

There was me worrying about how my 1.6 will be as i near the 100k miles (should clear is next year unless i get a job closer to home), seems nothing to worry about as long as i look after it

 

[daniel575]

There was me worrying about how my 1.6 will be as i near the 100k miles (should clear is next year unless i get a job closer to home), seems nothing to worry about as long as i look after it

Nothing to worry about I'd say, then.