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One of the biggest expenses in your life, second only to buying a house in the vast majority of cases, is purchasing a car. And not only do you have the initial cost to think about, but there are all the running expenses to consider, too. Insurance, repairs, fuel – the list is endless and the reality is that cars can often be something of a bottomless money pit.

Despite the costs, however, most people are happy to buy a new car every three to four years or so. But, logically, it makes no sense. When you take into account all that money you spend, as well as depreciation devaluing, buying a new car ends up costing you a fortune. The big question is, what if you could keep your current car in excellent condition, and ensure you don’t have to fork out a fortune?

With a little care and attention, there’s no reason why you can’t see your current vehicle driving for 100,000 miles. It’s a challenge, for sure, but when you consider the money you won’t have to spend by buying a new vehicle, surely it’s worth a shot? So here’s the 100,000-mile challenge – and how to give it your best shot.

Monthly checks

First of all, make sure your tires are inflated to the correct pressure at least once a month. You’ll get better gas mileage as well as ensure the integrity of your wheels stays intact. You should also check your oil levels, and your windscreen wiper fluid to ensure everything is working well and topped up for the best possible performance.

Your first 10,000 miles

It takes the average driver around eight months to a year to rack up 7,500 miles, and at this point, you should be thinking about changing your oil and filters. Muck and grime can build up during this time, and

a fresh oil change will help you keep your engine running as smooth as butter. You should also be thinking

of booking your vehicle in for a service at this point.

Maintenance and upgrades

An annual check will make sure your vehicle is in tip top condition and will save you money in repairs, too, as the mechanics will spot minor problems before they become too dangerous – and expensive. If your car is fitted with standard parts, consider upgrading them to better alternatives. As you ca

n see over at the partsengine website, there are a huge array of upgrades you can make to your car, from fitting new suspension to new exhaust systems. Some will, no doubt, improve the performance of your car and

keep it running an extra ten thousand miles or so, but the reality is you don’t have to spend an arm and a leg.

After 35,000 miles

By this point it’s likely your air filter will have picked up a lot of dust, dirt, and gunk – and it will need changing. It’s an easy and cheap fix, however, and as soon as you get the new one in you might even notice significant improvements in your fuel consumption. 

At 100,000 miles

Congratulations – you have reached the magical 100,000 miles. In days gone by, getting to the 100,000-mile mark was a rarity, but the reality is that most cars will make it that distance these days as long as you are careful. Why not take the challenge, and save yourself the cost of a brand new car – and maybe aim for 200,000?