[dewfaced]

You should be doing oil changes every 5k (Some say 3k) miles/6 months. Once a year is not enough with the distance you are putting on it. You should have had about 10-16 oil changes. That would explain premature wear on your timing chain (More likely you have broken guides).

[eMSF]

That may have been the case sometime between the World Wars, but the only reason you'd do that these days is if you particularly enjoy visiting the shop.

Modern oils can easily last 20000 km (if you'd want, you could only change the oil every other time you change the filter) barring particularly harsh conditions or poor and obsolete engine design. Also, lots of driving (as in typically longer trips) means the oil lasts better.

Oil changes are a common nuisance only if you make them one.

[rasz]

Just like sealed lifetime oil transmissions, its all car manufacturers ploy to artificially lower maintenance costs to appease leasing/rental clients. They dont care about car wear as long as it survives lease term.