It's no secret that motorists are keeping their cars longer than ever before. Thanks to the recession, the average age of a vehicle on the road recently eclipsed 11 years. Something that may be going unnoticed, however, is that many drivers are pushing their cars to the limits in terms of mileage, and as the quality of vehicles improves its not that unusual to reach mileage that used to be unthinkable, The New York Times reports.

In years past, most cars tapped out after about 100,000 miles. Today, many drivers keep their cars past the 200,000 mile mark, and there are a number of reasons beyond consumers being more thrifty. The biggest cause is increased competition. If a manufacturers products aren't as soundly made, they can suffer serious consequences. Additionally, more stringent emissions regulations and better materials have increased longevity as well.

"Materials are much better," Jagadish Sorab, the technical leader for engine design at Ford Motor, told the Times. "We can use very durable, diamondlike carbon finishes to prevent wear. We have tested our newest breed of EcoBoost engines, in our F-150 pickup, for 250,000 miles. When we tear the engines down, we cannot see any evidence of wear."

The quality of cars may be better than in previous decades, but a lot of the responsibility of eclipsing the 200,000 mile mark falls on the driver. Regular maintenance greatly contributes to how long a car lasts, and ignoring it can spell doom.

New Jersey State Auto Auction's Total Car Care center offers motorists the perfect opportunity to ensure their car is in working condition. With a knowledgeable staff, the center can provide everything from repairs to general upkeep.