Is there a way to see how extensive the prior repair work on a vehicle actually was?

Listing photos are your primary window into this, supplemented by a vehicle history report pulled with the VIN, which can sometimes show prior insurance claims, reported accidents, or title-status changes. Beyond that, auction platforms don't typically retain a contractor's repair log, so an in-person or third-party inspection is the most reliable way to assess repair quality on a specific unit before you bid.