Bob Dorr has scripts to tell if your statistics are accurate:
The dilemma we all run into is what level of SAMPLED statistics is appropriate? The answer is you have to test but that is not always feasible and in the case of Microsoft CSS we generally don’t have histogram, historical states to revisit.
Microsoft CSS is engaged to help track down the source of a poorly performing query. It is common step to locate possible cardinality mismatches and study them closer. Studying the statistics dates, row modification counter(s), atypical parameters usage and the like are among the fundamental troubleshooting steps.
Good post and great scripts, even if he Microsoftly nouns the verb “ask.”