When I test drove my van, prior to purchase, the brakes felt a bit
spongy.  I offered to buy the van on condition that the brakes needed
to be repaired prior to purchase.

PO told me that they went to their mechanic and had the brakes adjusted.

Brakes felt somewhat better to me.

Question: Did someone put some sawdust in my brakes, or the
equivalent, or, is there an adjustment that can be made to fix certain
causes of brake sponginess?

Or is it likely that nothing was done; and that the change was purely
because I wanted it to feel better?

Gab