A man from New Zealand has shown the world just how far a Toyota Corolla can go. Graeme Hebley, who lives in Upper Hutt, has driven his 1993 Toyota Corolla over 2 million kilometres, and it is still running on its original engine, transmission, and drivetrain. This proves why the Corolla is often called one of the most reliable cars ever made.
Hebley bought the car in 2000 when it had already travelled 80,000 kilometres. Since then, he has used it every day for his work as a newspaper delivery driver. His job takes him on long routes between Wellington and New Plymouth, covering about 5,000 kilometres every single week. After 25 years of daily use, the car still performs like new.
“That era of Toyota has such built-in reliability,” Hebley told the Whanganui Chronicle. “But if it wasn’t so frequently serviced, it just wouldn’t work.”
For more than two decades, Hebley has taken the car to Guthrie’s Auto Care in Whanganui every two weeks without missing a single appointment. John Sherman, a mechanic at Guthrie’s, said even he finds it hard to believe the car has lasted this long without major issues.
“It still has the original engine and transmission,” Sherman said. “If I hadn’t worked on it myself, I wouldn’t believe it. I wouldn’t believe it could do two million without something going wrong.”
Although the engine and transmission are still original, Hebley said he has had the cambelt changed “almost 20 times” due to the high mileage. But apart from that, the car’s major components have never been replaced.
Hebley laughed as he shared, “People ask me all the time why I don’t just buy a new car. But why would I? This one still does the job perfectly.”
Hebley’s Corolla is an English-built model that was imported to New Zealand. Despite its age and constant use, the car’s bodywork and interior have held up well, and it still delivers newspapers six days a week. “It’s not fancy. It’s not fast. But it’s strong,” Hebley said. “I’ve trusted this car for more than 20 years, and it has never let me down.”
For those unfamiliar with New Zealand’s geography, his delivery route between Wellington and New Plymouth means he drives across hilly and sometimes rough terrain. It’s a true test of any vehicle’s durability.
While Hebley’s Corolla is now a legend but it does not hold the world record for the most distance travelled by a private car. That title belongs to Irv Gordon from the United States, who drove his 1966 Volvo P1800S more than 5.15 million kilometres before his death in 2020.
However, Hebley’s Corolla stands out because it is still using its original mechanical parts. Many cars would need major repairs or replacements long before reaching even half a million kilometres.
The Toyota Corolla is the world’s best-selling car for a reason. Since its launch in 1966, over 50 million units have been sold globally. Known for its simplicity, low maintenance, and longevity, the Corolla has earned a reputation for being a car that “just keeps going.”
Hebley’s story adds another chapter to the Corolla’s legendary status. For car lovers and even regular drivers, his experience is a reminder of how good care and regular servicing can keep a car on the road for decades.
At 72 years old, Hebley has no plans to retire either himself or his car. He intends to keep driving his Corolla for as long as it keeps running. “I don’t see any reason to stop driving it,” he said with a smile. “As long as it keeps going, so will I.”
