Earlier this week, as I was driving home from work, my car hit a major milestone — 250,000 miles.

I’ve had the car, a ’96 Honda Accord, for almost 13 years now. And although it’s starting to show its age (some rust, worn seats, and a few dings), overall it’s served me admirably over the years. Like any car, there’s been the standard repairs and maintenance (brakes, exhaust, etc) . But thankfully I haven’t had to deal with major issues like engine or transmission repair.

Over the past year, every time I’d glance down at the odometer, I knew that one of these days it would finally hit the quarter-million mile mark. And now that it finally has, I’ve been thinking about the longevity of the vehicle and whether there were any lessons to be learned. Here are a few things that came to mind.

It stayed around because it had quality where it counted

A car can last quite a while even if doesn’t have the nicest accessories or paint job. Fancy trim packages, and cool designs, may be nice, but they’re not critical to the longevity of the vehicle.

But if you have a bad engine or transmission, though, you’re going to have problems, and you probably won’t be keeping the car around for the next decade.

In my case, the car had quality where it counted. It’s getting a little older now, but I’d much rather have a vehicle that is solid in the major areas, than to have one that is newer or more trendy, but is riddled with costly repairs because the quality wasn’t there.

The same thing is true in our lives. There are some things in life that are simply more important than others. And if we want to have a long, well-lived life, it’s important we keep an eye on those things that matter most. Things like our character, health, and relationships. We can make money, and achieve fame, but if these other aspects of our life are in shambles, what have we really gained?

Preventative maintenance pays for itself in the long run

Although I didn’t have major problems, I did make it a point to get the oil changed regularly. There was other preventative maintenance that was also done on occasion.

None of this maintenance was urgent — I didn’t have to do it — and it didn’t cost a great deal, but I’m confident that this regular upkeep played a part in the car’s longevity. Because even if the engine and transmission were high quality, but I never changed the oil or transmission fluid, I’m pretty sure I’d eventually have some significant problems to deal with.

Similarly, in life, little habits can make a big difference. They may not seem like much in isolation, but when these little things compound over time, their effects can be profound.

One workout won’t get you in shape, but a regular habit of exercise can affect your long-term health. Eating a single vegetable or fruit make not make much difference, but healthy eating over time will affect your physical condition in the years to come.

There are plenty of activities we know are good for us. But usually they’re neither mandatory not urgent. But sometimes, it’s the neglect of these little, non-urgent things, that leads to some very-urgent emergencies down the road.

Whether it’s our health or relationships, regular investment now is both preferable and more effective, than waiting till an emergency arises.

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I don’t know how long I’ll continue to own my Accord, but I know it’s served me well for the years I’ve owned it. It’s lasted quite a while, and with regular maintenance, could easily last a while more.

It’s longevity has also reminded me of the value of having quality where it counts, and of the importance of doing regular maintenance along the way — principles that are important regardless of whether you’re talking cars or life.