Enhancing the longevity of high-voltage traction inverters is critical for the reliability of future electric vehicles. This paper presents innovative damage mitigation strategies targeting converter components with the highest failure rates. By evaluating two distinct inverter topologies, the research outlines the damage mitigation potential for both semiconductor switches and DC-link capacitors. Advanced control and modulation techniques, such as the selective application of discontinuous pulse-width modulation methods, are used to underscore their efficacy in mitigating damage. Utilizing an extensive dataset from real-world driving conditions, the study comprehensively assesses component degradation and operational longevity. Both explicit and implicit damage avoidance strategies are introduced, with a focus on preemptive and real-time protective measures. An eight-step calculation framework is employed to analyze power losses, thermal behavior, and damage fractions, yielding valuable insights for enhancing the reliability and lifespan of modern power electronic systems.