A couple of things that aren't in the handbook:
'Duckbill' scuttle drains under the wipers need squeezing/cleaning out every now and again or they get blocked and can cause water to leak into the footwell.
Check rear axle spring pans for rust.
also check the sump while you're under the car, and make sure all the exhaust mounting brackets are sound. The front one is prone to corroding away, and if it is missing, it could damage both the cat and the exhaust manifold.
The front exhaust strap rots so neatly that people don't realise what it is. It's needed to avoid the pipe weld into the catalyst from cracking. If it's missing, get one fitted asap.
That was a good call on the exhaust bracket as when I checked it today there wasn't one. It's a fairly new exhaust as well. So I concocted one myself using an old but good exhaust rubber mount that I had lying around a 6 in nail bent to the right angle and an exhaust clamp. Good as new.