What belongs on my private-sale used car buying checklist?

[JohnR]

I'm planning to buy my first used car from a private seller in the next month, and I want to make sure I'm thorough to avoid any costly surprises. I've been researching models, but I'm nervous about missing something important during the inspection and test drive. For those who have gone through this process, what should be on my essential car buying checklist for a private sale, and are there any specific red flags or questions I should prioritize when meeting the seller and evaluating the vehicle's history and condition?