I reckon I must have been exceptionally lucky, when I bought a used Mazda from Godreys of Horsham earlier this year.
I found this charabanc during a desultory websearch, and it seemed to 'tick the boxes'. I discussed it by telephone with their salesman, and was reluctantly persuaded it might well be worth the 3-hour drive ( irriot! ). It was. When I stopped in their forecourt, I made space for another arrival, an elderly gentleman who 'fessed up to being entirely satisfied with the company's service over 20 years, and that he travelled miles out of his way to have them 'do' his cars.
The car itself seemed fine. We agreed terms, it would want a fresh MOT, a good checkout in their workshop, and a good going-over by their preparation wallah. and I undertook to return a few days later.
It hasn't missed a beat.
I judged the old fellah knew his onions. Well, you have to trust someone along the way.....
Er, my good friends Sara and Eirendil-UK reckon I'm getting above my station as a result, as I now keep my green wellies in the boot in a wee plastic bag, to keep mud off the clean carpet.
green wellies, faugh ! It's the 15 metres of 12mm nylon that he carries around in the stern cabin to make sure the shopping doesn't leap up and attack him when he brakes....