CD Player Reliability/Longevity

I've got a 1985 Technics SLP2 which catalogues fine, but is highly temperamental. Suspect the guide rails for the laser.

Also have a 1984-6?? Denon DCD-1100 which works nicely.

I used to have a Marantz CD54 from 1984, but my mate killed it. I think he used a laser cleaner

 

The mech used in the CD63SE series (and countless others) can require cleaning and lubricating the laser sled, nothing more (I think most of these sled based mechs could do with a check every few years).

My Micro-Seiki fitted with the original CDM-1 mech had it's light pen (laser) replaced in '97 and has had very little use indeed since (as has the system for various reasons nothing to do with it). I've started listening in earnest again recently and once again the mech gets stroppy searching towards the end of discs.

The chap who replaced the laser last time (and acquired the alignment tool from Mission, who didn't want it any more) has packed up and may even be retired now. I don't know who could replace the laser if necessary - assuming Marantz/Philips still have spares - A Shame, 'cos it's still a great player...