I’ve never had much for problems with the transom mount minnkotas. Some people have problems wth the electronic steering minnkotas which is usually due to sand getting in the pedal. Minnkotas are very dependable motors, but everything takes some type of wear when used enough.
I generally fish the inner city lakes a lot here which is trolling motor only. Even when I was fishing these lakes 5 days a week it would usually take a couple years before repair was needed. Where I usually run into trouble is when I am taking my boat places that duck boats would be proud of You run into enough things over time, something is going to need repaired eventually. Most of the time, the repairs are very cheap.
Motorguides are also pretty good motors, but I cant use the steel shaft motors without bending them over before long You bump anything with the lower unit when your boat has any momentum going in any direction.. plan on a trip to the repair shop on the way home for a new shaft so you can do it again on the next trip.