It appears the author doesn’t know this as they seem quite nervous about losing coverage.
In my case I got a keyboard / top cover, logic board, and battery all replaced for $400 and change, on a 6.5 year old machine well out of AppleCare. They only do this while the model is not considered obsolete, and they have more discretion to do things in your favor if your initial purchase was made directly through Apple, and if you previously had AppleCare on the device, even if it is expired.
In the US, after five years they declare your device obsolete. Or after seven years in some states in the US (edit: in cases where it is required to be that long by state law). Then after that, your only repair options are DIY or third party.
Also if there is a repair done by Apple at any time, in or out of AppleCare, that repair itself is warrantied for 90 days. And if an issue was put on the record in Apple’s support system for your device before AppleCare expired, it can still be covered even if it is brought in for repair after AppleCare expired.