A few years ago I was in the market for another car. The family finances dictated it be a used one. I began combing the ads in the local paper for the model I was interested in getting. Eventually, my search narrowed to two possibilities and I set up appointments to look at them both.

When I drove to the first address, I was overjoyed to see an almost showroom condition vehicle in the driveway. Surely this was the one--and in mint condition, too! After kicking the tires, talking to the owner, ascertaining the selling price and taking it for a test drive, I asked the owner for the service records. He stunned me by responding, "Service records? This car has been so trouble-free I haven't even changed the oil since it was new!"