Depends on your local Regulatory requirements and the company's QA procedures.
It is quite common (especially for non-sked ops) to have pilots authorised to do simple maintenance, or to certify for the completion provided a bunch of relevant things have been done.
The airline folk generally don't have a need to worry about this sort of thing in comparison.
If the defect doesn't effect flight safety then don't enter it until the final shut down
I wouldn't want to get caught out - could be embarrassing at the Enquiry if a mishap can be related to the action.
always bear in mind that a pilot may mis identify a defect as the primary problem when, in fact, it is only a result of something much more serious
of course that is a consideration. The folks who use these sorts of procedures constrain what the pilot can/can't do and the pilot generally isn't acting alone - rather, he/she is effecting an administrative function in the main.