Do Electronic Components Age if Unused for Long Periods?

The OP's question is very wide. Abour the only equally general reply to that is that it depends on the manufacturer.

On the positive side, I have encountered several dozen Quad II amplifiers which were still in good nick, electrolytics included. That would be - er - some up to 60 years?

But it is not known for how long they were not used, only that they were (not used). On the other hand, in the same amplifer (particularly the control unit), many small resistors (10% tolerance) and particularly 20% ones were substantially out; always higher. I cannot see film capacitors ageing. I have in my collection many brands, still being in spec after 50 odd years, but as the Quads showed, the opposite can also be true. (The Quad 22 pre-amp has some 10 'styrene' caps in tone shaping circuits that have changed to over twice there value!)

Because of the relatively low cost and where there is lack of suitable meters, it is however prudent to replace.
 
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