Our last set was 35 (inherited from in-laws). It was still working when we gave it to someone to put in their rental house. I think it ran for another 5 years or so for him. The set we have now is 18. My husband does all the repairs on it. Both sets have been Kenmore top loaders. We will keep them going as long as we are able to find parts. I'd have to ask my husband where we order from now, but if you total up all the parts we have put into the washers/dryers over the years is way less than the cost of a new washer/dryer. I'll cry when my set finally dies.
In my opinion, nothing is build to last like the old appliance.
S