Can you tell me how the damage happened, how long ago, and whether anyone has attempted repairs?

Auction listings generally don't carry a narrative history of the incident — you'll see a damage type code, condition photos, and odometer/title status, but not a story of "what happened and when." Repair history is similarly limited; if a vehicle shows a salvage or rebuilt title, that's your clearest signal that some repair or total-loss event occurred previously. For anything beyond what's listed, a vehicle history report (using the VIN) is the best way to dig further.