Also, the effect of the ESR gets spread out across multiple caps when wired parallel.
Not just today... old Rifa power line filter caps are notorious for exploding when power is applied - and they are sometimes found connected before the power switch; so they go poof as soon as the power cable is plugged in. Old electrolytic caps are also prone to leaking the electrolyte (which is often corrosive) - even the good brands; so re-caping is often needed just as a preservative measure; even if the device is just going to be in storage.