Ever known cleaning buttons cause an error?

I know from this forum my AEG L7548WD is 10 years old (how time flies). It's been working fine, but I recently cleaned the front when it was off, not particularly vigorously I didn't think, but getting the dirt off the buttons because it sticks out in front of the countertops and they get dirty. This time I switch it on and it's on different setting to the ones I normally use, and in particular was stuck on drying with any setting, showing an Err when I tried to start it. After pressing several buttons, on off etc with the erroneous drying option always on, I was about to give up when I gave it one last try (switch off, firm pressing of all the buttons) and it seemed to 'unstick' and return to normal but I'm a bit wary.

Should I try it with a standard wash option no dry? What's the worst that can happen? (Flooding/burning visions)

On age, what's more important in how long a machine lasts, age or heaviness of use? If a machine was rarely used could it last twice the average time, or vice versa?

What's the longest you've known a washer/dryer last?

This link confirms what you usually say, cheap builds nowadays mean no repairs = throwaway culture.

I always try to go for the quality option, but even then people say they're not as good as they used to be (like everything 😂).

Are there any white goods that buck this trend or is it universal? My fridge freezer recently gave up after twenty years, that's the longest I've known. Thanks.

https://www.repairaid.co.uk/washing-machine-lifespan/