They broke down four times and had to rely on the hospitality of strangers from some of the world's most desolate nations.

But after a month behind the wheel of an old banger, father-and-son team Steve and Will Merrow-Smith, from Oxford, have completed an epic trip from London's Hyde Park to Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia.

The pair were selected from 6,000 applications to be one of 300 teams taking part in the Mongol Rally - and made it to the finish on Sunday.

Speaking to the Oxford Mail from Ulaanbaatar, Steve, 54, from Hertford Street, East Oxford, said: "It's been a life-changing experience, taking away all the health and safety aspects of life in the UK. To have people welding your cars from power lines - normal electrical power lines - and trying to repair things that just aren't possible, was amazing."

The Mongol Rally was held in aid of Mercy Corps, a charity which helps people living in poverty and in areas of conflict.

The aim is to drive the cars to Ulaanbaatar. The vehicles are then sold on with the money going to the charity. Steve and Will raised more than £1,400.

Mr Merrow-Smith, a handyman and gardener, added: "It's so weird to be here. It has been a completely non-western, non-normal experience. To communicate with other people from other cultures is a great thing, it's fantastic.

"We live in just a tiny world in England, all the rules are so strict - out here there are no rules, but we can still survive."

The pair set out with just a couple of old maps, a compass and a tool box to help them navigate through eight countries, spanning two continents, in a 16-year-old Seat Marbella they bought on the Internet for £150.

Will, 28, from Rymers Lane, Cowley, said: "Our car broke down four times, the rear suspension went each time and we were helped out by a very kind Kazakhstani family. We have had a fantastic time out here. People are so friendly and so helpful."

Only about 60 per cent of the 300 cars starting actually complete the 10,000-mile charity challenge.

Team Swiftly - Tom Chettlecor, 20, and Jeff Peppercor, 21, from Bicester - also made the finish line, reaching Ulanbaatar on August 11, having set off on July 19.

Mr Chettle said: "It was really challenging, but I think we were quite lucky with our car. Although we had about six punctures, we only really had one major breakdown and that was only 500 miles from the finish."

Team Swiftly raised about £1,700 for Mercy Corps.