Exactly. And while visiting a Jag dealer is probably best if we are indeed
talking about a Jag, for many other cars, there are plenty of good places
out there who will do this, who have no vested interest in what they find.
A few years ago, I was looking at a car where that make and model had had a
known history of problems with transmissions and air conditioning. Since
the sales place was a place that sold only used cars, I took it to an
independent body shop for verification on the various body panels, then to
an A/C specialist to go over the A/C, then to a tranny specialist for the
transmission, and finally to a dealer for a read-out on recalls, and
anything else they might have had on that V.I.N.
When and only when all those areas passed with flying colors did I buy the
car. It was a great car for me.
More recently, when looking at cars for my kids, I have had a local
Firestone Complete Auto Care go completely through it. Their knowledge and
thoroughness was impressive. Thanks to them, I returned three different
cars I may have otherwise purchased, and the kids are having very good luck
with the ones they now have.
That kind of conscientiousness would seem to be almost essential nowadays,
even if it is a bit of a burden to do all of that.
