I'm the trackball destroying cousin. I have yet to have one last two years in the last 10 or 12 years since I switched from mice.
What is breaking? FYI, you need to remove the ball from time to time and remove the dust that might be blocking the optical sensors.
Usually sensors stop working. I had a Kensington slimblade whose tracking light just stopped turning on, for example. No amount of cleaning will bring it back.
Literally less than two years? In the EU you are probably eligible for a replacement, especially if some non-moving part (like sensors you mention below) fails.
I would prefer of course if producers made their products more sturdy (less e-waste).