I have imported a few cars over the years from the Jap auctions and my buyer gives dead accurate body reports.
When the vehicles arrive, I invariably have to fix brakes, usually a clutch, sometimes repair a noisy diff or a stuffed syncro and give them a good tune.
The trouble is, no matter how good the report and/or the buyer , they can't DRIVE them enough to pick up some of these problems.
Sure, buy from Japan but unless you are or have a good friend who's a mechanic, any saving may be gone.
You don't hear too much about the bad cars from Japan that someone has imported cos no one likes to admit they bought a lemon.
My 2c
Ken