metal or carbon fatigue in older frames

[guitarbiker]

I'm thinking of buying a used road bike (four years old) Pinarello frame carbon and aluminum combination. The bike has all new wheels, cranks, headset, etc but the original frame is scatched etc. The bike was ridden by a team racer about 5,000 km a year. I'm just wondering if the frame will be suffering any fatigue, or put another way, how long do frames last?
Thanx

 

[caferacerwanabe]

Lots of GIANT Cadex carbon/alloy frames from the early nineties are still out on the road but an ex-team bike like an ex-race car etc. has a very limited shelf life.

 

[guitarbiker]

Thanx, that sounds logical. I suppose I'll just work that into the price equation and keep an eye out for cracks, creaks etc.

 

[caferacerwanabe]

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z284/Steebler/DSC00084.jpg?t=1185753714

 

[kdelong]

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z284/Steebler/DSC00084.jpg?t=1185753714

What happened here? Looks terrible, hope the rider is OK.