Having been a PFA/LAA inspector for a number of years I have found a very variable standard of permit aircraft, a lot of them are very well looked after putting the C of A types to shame.
However you will find a small number of old dogs that are an accident waiting to happen, the LAA is doing it,s best to improve the standard of permit aircraft but I fear that it is very hard to do any thing with the recalcitrant string and sealing wax brigade.
As said above take an inspector with you when you look as an aircraft,he will save you £££££££££££££ in the long run.