But presumably this website (and DT column) does rely on people sticking to the "drive from new to x years and then replace" mentality (where x is between 2 and 4)?

The bath-tub failure curve would indicate that if you have got a car to three years old without significant problems you are probably OK until 10 years or 100,000 miles. You are paying next to nothing in depreciation and any finance is probably paid off.

You will get some bills for servicing that include replacement of expensive parts and you may get some out of service-cycle replacements required - which if you care for the vehicle can be done when symptoms first appear rather than after a breakdown. The cost of all these is probably considerably less than the depreciation of a new car and its financing.

If a car suits you, run it until you no longer trust it to be reliable?