I believe that Carfax offers buyback for such instances. He should have gotten a Carfax on it.
I have bought two cars off lease. Both very good cars. One was 11 months old. Why was it off lease at 11 mtw? The dealer told me it was a company car and the guy was laid off. I went through the glove box, found the guys name. (It is rare that the original owners name is not in the glove box.) I called the original owner and confirmed the story. I still have the car 12 years later.