RE: Buying Off eBay...
Although complicated there is a route to a reasonable assurance of getting
what you pay for and that's the Escrow process available on eBay purchases.
Get an agreement with the seller that he will go through escrow before you
bid.  If you win then your money and his title go into escrow.  Reach an
agreement on the escrow terms first.  Read carefully his claims and
disclaimers.  Agree on what would constitute a significant misrepresentation
of the vehicle, either a feature or an amount required to repair.  Example:
Agree that if there are any flaws (like painted over rust as in the example
reported in another post) not reported and the repair would exceed $500 then
the deal is off.  Just about any terms or conditions can be established in
the escrow agreement, depends on the firm handling the escrow how
complicated they will allow it to get.  Only when both parties say that they
are satisfied will the title and money be released.  Several years back I
used the escrow process when selling some antique glassware on eBay and all
went well, no hitches.  BTW, in the case of the Vanagon with the painted
over rust that should constitute a substantial misrepresentation of the item
as far a eBay rules are concerned and if the buyer refused to pay he would
have been in the right.