Long haul: This Volvo is still going strong at 700,000 miles

Bargain Cars, a new recession-busting U.K. magazine, has unearthed one of the highest-mileage cars in Britain. The 2001 Volvo S80 has covered a mighty 717,000 miles.

Powered by a 2.5-liter diesel engine, which once made 140 hp but has doubtless lost a few by now, the Volvo achieved over half of its driving distance in its first three years, wafting VIPs around. It then went on to the rather less glamorous job of being an airport taxi. With only four owners in 20 years this Volvo has been kept in remarkable condition considering the life it’s experienced. The leather interior has stood up pretty well, with just a little light cracking on the seats, and scratches on the steering wheel. The handbrake looks to have had plenty of use, though more likely from lots of stop-start traffic than any sideways action.

Bargain Cars editor Peter Simpson bought the S80 and is planning to tour the U.K. to push the odometer past the three-quarter-million-mile mark. “The Volvo is remarkable, not only because it is still going but also because it still drives really well—it’s powerful, smooth and still quite tight. It goes to show that if you maintain a car well, it’ll reward you with reliability,” says Simpson.

The magazine is now looking for other cars that can beat the Volvo’s mega mileage. We’d also love to hear your long haul stories from this side of the Atlantic, so do let us know in the comments.