So, if a new Toyota Corolla is reliable, surely a lightly used one ought to be too? I mean, provided the owner changed the oil regularly and what not. For the record, I have bought and driven a number of used cars and never had a significant reliability issue. Cars don't magically become unreliable when bought second-hand.

I don't know anyone who buys second-hand who has had significant issues. So if anything your claim about anecdotes would be inverted for me.