Are rabbits built for longevity?

My last vet was very much of the opinion that rabbits aren't built to last, in the sense that wild rabbits would never be expected to live so long in the wild (hence why they reproduce so freely), so that does fit with your theory, Sooz.

I think the reduced life span has a lot to do with the nasty rabbit illnesses that are about, eg. EC, VHD and myx, as they are going to bring the average down a lot.

Sooz wrote:
Also, on the Nickie's theory about the levels of care, my oldest surviving rabbit was never speyed, vaccinated, visited the vets, rarely fed hay, free roamed in the garden (not in a safe way) and ate muesli. She never ailed a day in her life (and she was a large lop). This seems to be a recurring theme for some people, any thoughts?

Years ago I had a rabbit who lived to about 8, was never neutered or vaccinated, lived on a rubbishy muesli mix, didn't always have hay etc. He was eventually PTS with severe arthritis, but was never ill before that. I don't believe there were as many nasty illnesses about in those days, although bunnies were probably just as in bred.