This stuff happens a lot?. I have a relative who bought a used Chevy Cruze from an auction a few years ago, and when it went in for service the guy working on it told him the car was missing the airbags.

https://youtu.be/MZVhDsC5R5Q?si=DDbj0PeB_xLej7RJ

i work in a new car dealership body shop. we send a significant amount of auction purchased cars back to the auction due to crappy frame work and repairs. i look at at least 1 car a month that usually gets sent back to auction after my frame inspections. the funny part is the buyers try to buy from long term established sellers and they still end up buying polished turds.
i am sure this happens more than most people realize. the liability laws on rebuilt totaled cars is a absolute joke.
a LOT of extremely unqualified people buy and rebuild these cars with no worries about shoddy repairs. if they ever get a problem with their poor repairs they just close the bodyshop name that rebuilt the car and start another one the next day free and clear of any past poor work and do the same things again. they don't even have to relocate just make a new sign on the door and they are good to go..
there should be a significant $$$ bonding and licensing of these repairers. there should be quality inspections of the cars before they sell them to other dealers. this won't ever happen because insurance co don't want this. it reduces the values of salvage cars they sell and it will cost them profits.

and to think i thought this topic was about "air bag" used car salesmen.............