Harriet,
I would say that doing a Body Corporate minutes search would be a necessary part of your due dilligence.
Minutes of the meetings record everything discussed at the Annual General Meetings and extra ordinary general meetings and is of valuable assistance to any prospective purchaser.
If there are problems within the building, if the body corporate is considering major expenditure of sinking funds this will come up in your search and allow you to make a more informed decision about your purchase.
There is usually a small fee to inspect the minute records.
hope this helps.