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Is it true that modern cars have a 7-year life cycle?

You state in today's column that a modern car has a 7-year life cycle. Since I have an 8-year old Mercedes-Benz, this is a bit of a surprise, to me and probably a few million other car owners. Can you elaborate? Is it a 'well known fact', or a deliberate design aspect of manufacturers; and if the latter, is this made clear in any way at the time of purchase? I expect things to fail as they age, but I am on the original exhaust, have had a broken front spring and replaced both, the underside is in excellent condition, no rust anywhere, now with over 100,000 and it drives better than new. I expect it to 'expire' at about 400/500,000 miles, say 30/40 years old if cared for.

Asked on 28 January 2012 by EB, via email

Answered by Honest John
The first answer is no, of course dealers don't. Why should they? We live in a disposable society. How long does a flat screen TV, a notebook computer or a mobile phone last these days? The second answer is yes, of course it is to the manufacturer's advantage to make a car so complex with components the replacement cost of which can be equal to the value of the car after seven years. If you replace the part, the manufacturer makes a fat profit. If you replace the car, the manufacturer makes a profit. He has you both ways.
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