There are several organisations which will carry out an inspection, check ADs are complied with etc. For a few hundred pounds I would certainly use their services before purchasing an aircraft.
But without the log books it would not be possible for anyone to validate engine hours unless they were to be stripped and rebuilt or to ascertain whether an AD had be complied with without pulling the aircraft apart.
I don't think any organisation would issue an ARC without log books.
Sometimes maintenance organisations withhold log books when bills haven't been paid for instance.