Well, you know Crab, that's the scary part.
"......aircraft checked thoroughly."
In the examples you chose, say a control horn has started a microscopic crack due to overstress in the Vne incident. Is the mechanic going to fluoroscope every part? Of course not. Could the crack propogate and fracture between 100 hrs? Hell yes.
Your advice is right on, but........its not actually that good to be an engineer and fly other peoples machines. I try not to think about it.