Check the log books first,that will give you some idea,then ask for a title check costs under 15 bucks if they want a quick sale then you would want too see that before even you fire up the car,also ask before you test drive if their insurance covers you?,you don't want a teenage kid on a pizza delivery in his corolla rear ending the test car..imho,
I was helping my son buy his first car earlier this year.
We found an apparent good one that came up "all clear" on the ownership/encumbrances check, however, the report showed that it had been an insurance write-off!
Although it had been repaired and was legally registered, it was enough to put me off buying it.