The first thing you should check is the VIN, run it through carfax or something to check the actual mileage and see whats on the title. If an axle is bent, I would look for repaired body damage or something wrong with the frame, the car has probably been in an accident. Make sure you look at the underside of the car, even if you have to pay some guy in a garage to put it up for you. Have a compression test done as well, and a pressure test done on the cooling system. This could save you from buying a screwed up engine. If you pay some guy at a garage 60 bucks he will probably do all of the tests you want. Make sure the guages work, and aren't stuck somewhere, and make sure the car has good oil pressure. If the engine bay has been steam cleaned, suspect that he had it done yesterday to hide how it hadn't been cared for. If the engine bay is dirty, but not filthy, thats a better sign than steam cleaned sometimes. Make sure the "check engine soon" light comes on at startup and goes away, if not he could have pulled the bulb to hide a problem. Ask what kind of spark plugs he uses, and what kind of oil. Ask for receipts for the work that has been done. Just some stuff off the top of my head, good luck. | 
