uyue 8586 5-e : Wot no hot air?

[NivagSwerdna]

So whilst using my hot air and soldering station last night I found that the hot air stopped getting hot and the display showed 5-E or S-E if you prefer.
On disassembling the handset (after unplugging!) And pulling out the element which is wrapped in a sleeve of some kind... Mica? I found the element was not continuous.
Replacement element now ordered.
What is the life expectancy of a hot air element? Should I keep spares? Are any of these materials likely to be hazardous making it more sensible to just buy a new wand or station?

[Yansi]

A friend of mine has an old Aoyue 968, that may well be older than 10 years.  I have replaced there only the thermocouple wires, but the heating element never failed.
My Aoyue 968 may be about 6 years old I guess, no failures yet.