Hi Charlie.

1-10) It is always best to personally inspect
a vehicle before the auction's end.
If I'm not mistaken the person YOU PAY($100
if memory serves) for to have the car inspected
is an independed party and should look out for
your interest and not the sellers.

2) Feedback is good way of checking the seller
out.
Always look at the negative feedback too,but most
importantly is what the seller did to make good on
the complaints(did he ignore them,fixed problems,
replaced parts or give the person a different car).
Me personally,I'm weary of used car dealers and
mostly buy from individuals.
The local better business bureau sometimes has
good information about crooked used car dealers.

3) I'm sure there are plenty of people on this forum
that where ripped off one time or an other.

Look closely at the discription,if the seller says for
example:"Body is rust free" and when you go pick
up the car you notice that one of the front fenders
has completely disintegrated from rust,it clearly is
a misrepresentation of the car.
And I think under ebay rules you have all the right
not to take the car.

4)Have not been in this situation.

5) No idea what it means.

6)It should not matter how many previous owners
the car had or whether the car is being sold for a third
party.
If the previous owners kept all records they should be
with the vehicle at the end of the auction.
But they also should be made available on request for
inspection by interested bidders.
Now,there are owners that pamper and baby their
cars and give it all the maintenance it needs and more,
but don't have or keep any records at all.
But these vehicles are easily spotted by the overall
perfect and clean condition.

7)If an engine has lots of blowby it will be apparent
this way(it will smoke like a steamtrain).
Also if you hold your hand about 5" over the opening
for a minute,you will/will not see lots of oil on your
hand.
Lotsa oil=low compression,sick engine.
No oil=good compression,healthy engine

8)Here in the US MBtex was standard.
Leather seats were an option.
As to which is prefered,I guess that is up to
personal taste.

9) No problem if there is one for sale in you region
that your interested in.
Easier to check out the vehicle.

Hope this helps.

Louis.