Gary Driscoll, a stock agent from Victoria’s north‑west, has placed his 2009 Toyota LandCruiser up for auction, hoping to fetch between $20,000 and $30,000 as the vehicle approaches the one‑million‑kilometre mark.
It now reads 999,999 km on the odometer.
Milestone mileage and auction details
The 200 Series Sahara model, owned since April 2010, will be left at that figure so the new owner can witness the odometer flip to the “magical” one‑million‑kilometre point.
The listing notes an average of 180 km a day in Driscoll’s work. It retains its original engine and transmission after nearly 100 service visits at Horsham Toyota. The only major component replaced was the starter motor after the odometer reached 973,000 km.
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The two‑week auction is not expected to generate a dramatic premium despite the rarity of a LandCruiser with such distance. Driscoll estimates the sale could land somewhere between $20,000 and $30,000, noting that comparable models with far fewer kilometres typically command $30,000 to $35,000.
Condition, maintenance and quirks
Horsham Toyota confirmed this is the first million‑kilometre vehicle the dealership has encountered. Service records show two alternators have been replaced, a notable fact given the vehicle’s exposure to rough country roads that Driscoll described as “absolutely scheissenhausen.”
He says the LandCruiser shows “not one squeak” or rattle when towing a trailer, and he includes the original rubber floor mats and cargo mat as part of the sale. The vehicle was recently towed back to the dealership after he realized he had driven close to the one‑million‑kilometre threshold during a test drive with a local TV news crew.
Joel Kelly, the general sales manager at Horsham Toyota, suggested Toyota might contact Driscoll to discuss acquiring the vehicle for a museum collection, though no formal offer has been made.
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Reaching one million kilometres in a passenger vehicle is extremely uncommon. It demonstrates the durability of Toyota’s engineering and the commitment of owners who maintain their vehicles over decades.
Market context and buyer considerations
Potential bidders should weigh the vehicle’s condition against its mileage. Driscoll acknowledges that the high kilometre count diminishes the car’s usefulness, especially for buyers seeking a reliable workhorse without extensive refurbishment.
Nevertheless, the LandCruiser’s reputation for off‑road capability and the rarity of a near‑million‑kilometre example may provide a “fun factor” for some purchasers.
Interested parties can view the LandCruiser online before placing a bid. The sale proceeds will go to Driscoll, who hopes the vehicle will find an owner appreciative of its legacy.
