If you take care of the machine their is no reason why it won't last. I find the middle of the line to last longer as they don't have all the extra's that can break. I feel most of us trade up because of all the new items like thread cutter, etc., not because the machine is wore out. I have several old feather weights that sew better than some of the newer machines. I feel that keeping a machine brushed out of lint and changing the needle may be the key to last life.