Had it from new in 1997 or 1998 and lasted till approx 2001 when it broke. Still worked though. It replaced our old Vax 121 which broke. A Hitachi bagless cylinder (very powerful, 1400W) replaced this, it blew up after 2 months, then got a Vax 6140 pets, lasted 2 years then got a new DC04 silver...