I’ve had my Bernina 440QE for ~15 years and it’s been in the shop for cleaning and maintenance 3 times. I didn’t use it that much until I retired and it’s in the shop now for two reasons. I wanted to order a new tray for it because my cracked again and the shop owner told me Bernina decided that was a design flaw so the next time it came in for maintenance, they would put a new tray system on like the new machines have. It’s much sturdier and it locks. I waited for the backlog to clear out before taking it in. The second reason is I got a new Bernina 590 a couple of months ago and finally got it fitted into my sewing cabinet (waiting for DH to do it!). Since I won’t be using it much, wanted the 440 cleaned. Also, thinking about loaning it to my BFF to use this winter so wanted it ready to go. Probably will take it up to the cottage for the summer. I think it’s better to use them than let them sit for months.