Tell that to my circa-2000s WD MyBook that clicks and fails to initialize after ~17 years in climate-controlled storage in its original packaging. I'm about to attempt surgery on the heads to see if I can get it going again.

I also have a binder full of DVD-Rs, of about the same age and containing mostly the same data, that all read perfectly with no issues.

You're asking for trouble if you count on just one backup solution to keep your data safe.