The original design for the Defender was conceived at around the same time the Mayans were planning their calendar, so the words 'built to last' have rarely been more appropriate. Land Rover have filled recent models with quite a few electronic bits and pieces, but there's no forgetting how wonderfully basic the Defender still is.

The fact that Top Gear tried and failed to destroy a Hilux says a great deal about its toughness. Legendary Japanese engineering sets it apart from the competition, so there's a good chance it'll still be hanging around long after lesser vehicles have disintegrated. And as if you needed any more proof, the model pictured is badged 'Invincible'...

Mercedes might not be top of the reliability charts these days, but back in the 1980s they were doing very well indeed - and it shows. The W124-generation E Class (built from 1985 to 1996) is still sought after today for being almost bulletproof, so we're in little doubt as to its hanging-around power. 

A Porsche might seem like an odd addition to this list, but watching videos of the recent floods here in the AOL Cars office, we spotted something curious. In the middle of a flooded road in Hampshire sat a 911, with the water level right up to the roof: Windscreen wipers still going as though it were nothing more than a light shower. We have a suspicion Porsche has accidentally built a submarine. 

Again, bear with us here. Long after the oil and gas infrastructures have broken down, the first thing to disappear will be the petrol-powered car. If you're lucky (or unlucky) enough to still be here on December 22nd, you'll need a car that can power itself - and the Leaf, plus a home wind turbine, is about as close as you'll get.