2014 D-Max still going strong after 350,000 miles – most of them in front of a heavy trailer

vehicle to our fleet, we once again chose an Isuzu for the job.’

This second D-Max has itself covered more than 200,000 miles. Both have proved reliable, needing just the usual servicing and consumables to keep them on the road. Engines, gearboxes and other major components are all original.

ISUZU RECENTLY WENT LOOKING FOR THE D-MAX with the highest mileage in the UK – and turned up a 2014 example that’s still going strong as an ox on 351,364 miles.

The vehicle, a 2.5 TD Eiger with manual transmission, is owned and operated by independent vehicle sales and service dealer Aston of Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire. And what’s doubly impressive is that most of those miles have gone on while towing other vehicles around the country.

‘When the business was looking for a vehicle capable of towing 3.5 tonnes on a daily basis back in 2012, we wanted something that would not only do the job but would also prove to be the most cost-effective for the business,’ says Aston Melton Mowbray’s James Jeal. ‘The Isuzu D-Max became the obvious choice. It’s extremely important for us to have vehicles we can rely on for our vehicle deliveries and the D-Max has been fantastic, so much so that when we needed to add another tow

To put these mileages into perspective, 351,364 is like driving 14 times around the world, while between them the two trucks have done enough to get you to the Moon and back. Both remain in everyday use, so it’s next stop Mars.

• The current D-Max posted a yearon-year sales increase of 17.95% in 2022. Aided by 59.5% growth in fleet sales, this figure comes against a 30.4% drop in the pick-up market as a whole. The vehicle finished the year by winning the overall title in our annual Pick-Up of the Year awards.

Merc specialist Hofele moves into new premises and celebrates by putting suicide doors on £175,000 G-Wagen

IF A MERCEDES-AMG G63 ISN’T ENOUGH of an off-road status symbol for you, here’s the good news. Hofele Design has opened a new HQ just along the road from the Mercedes factory – and to celebrate, the first vehicle out of the door was a bespoke example of its HG Ultimate.

This is a G-Wagen with suicide doors (‘rear-hinged coach doors,’ they’d very much rather you say), full-length electric side steps, individual rear VIP seating and the company’s own exterior styling package, the latter featuring exclusive 24” forged alloy wheels. The vehicle in the pictures, which was commissioned by ‘a VIP customer’, is finished in high-gloss black with chrome detailing, Hofele’s own signature wheelarches, bumpers and grille and on the inside, a full retrim in Arancia Mira Mandarin. Or ‘orange,’ as you might know it.

This particular VIP also specced Hofele’s starlight ceiling interior lighting and luxury trimmed luggage compartment, as well as lambswool mats for the interior, a roof-mounted light bar and front bumper LEDs.

Hofele, which is an official Mercedes tuning partner, currently has seven other of these G-Wagens in build and expects them all to be delivered by the summer. Plenty of time to place your order in time for Christmas, then.