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How long will modern cars last?

I bought my wife a 2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK for £8500. She says that at 65,000 miles it's not worth it and she won't get the value when she sells. Our last car lasted 17 years and I say that modern cars, unlike the older models, are usually ok to 100,000 or more, who's right?

Asked on 15 January 2014 by Martin Freye

Answered by Honest John
Modern cars are usually killed off by an expensive component failing that costs more to repair than the car is worth. They are built to an economic life of seven years, after which you might be lucky or might not.
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