Well, a lack of records may be farther down the list of must haves for some. They're not always available and many are content with running a CarFax.
With the last several autos we've purchased the only records we had were through the CarFax. So we went over them with a fine toothed comb so to speak. Some we ran or walked away from, others we purchased.
I'm pretty sure I know who owned my truck before me but they did not respond to the letter I sent asking about its history. Then just the other day on this here forum I read that GM will have the service records no matter which dealership or who the owner is, if I read that right, and I think next time I bring the truck in for service, I'll ask the service writer for the history.