I'm still a bit shocked. I just bought a used car that drove perfectly and passed its mandatory test, so I thought I'd found a great deal. A knowledgeable friend insisted I take it to his trusted mechanic for a full once-over. They put it on the lift and found things I never would have imagined: a very slow coolant leak, an engine mount that was starting to crack, and some suspension wear. It really drove home the importance of spotting unseen mechanical faults before they become emergencies. The mechanic explained that these things don't always show symptoms until they're advanced. It cost me a bit to fix them now, but nowhere near what a breakdown would have cost. Has anyone else had a similar experience with hidden problems?