Good point about getting inspected, then get some prices. I accepted a couple of minor problems with my purchase which on a normal car would be less than £100 (handbrake adjustment), but turned out to be just short of £300 for a Maserati. If I add up the cost of the "little jobs", I've probably aded another £2k to the cost, I still love my car though.
Someone mentioned tyres, another good point.
Then there's the last service, did I read that it wasn't completed by a Specialist? I'm all for keeping maintenance costs down and there are jobs that a good mechanic can do but whether you love it or hate it the service stamp is important if you want to buy a warranty or sell on.
As for the wife and kids, if there not included who's going to valet the car? (Sorry for the chauvinist comment, just a joke)