What's the working span of EGR Valve?

2011 Ford SUV seldom used (1 month in a year) only during summer vacations. The vehicle undergo annual preventive maintenance. Low mileage.
2014 April sent for repairs after collision
2016 February returned to us after repairs (check engine light on appeared right away when they turned over the vehicle to us) they advised us to see if it still comes on
2017 April clicking soun heard, mechanics said the EGR Valve needs replacement.

How is this possible when we barely use the vehicle?

Depending on a lot of factors the EGR valves coke up.
I have had mine cleaned in the past not replaced.
They do stick which is what lights up the Check Engine light.
Mine took 6 years to coke up.

Hi so was it a ford dealer as it sounds like it was a non technical sort who knows nothing about this type of Ford SUV.

Cars, or at least some of their parts, react badly to not being used regularly.

The collision may have caused a wiring short which is causing the clicking. Best check all of the wiring in the area that got hit.

If they tested the EGR and it flunked, it could have been bad from poor quality control. Get an OBD2 code check to see what fault turned the light on. Try a different shop.