Yeah, it can happen, esp if abused by previous owners. Still, those weren't really engine problems. More engine accessory.
A leaking VTEC gasket is an incredibly minor issue. At least it would be on my GS-R, which, at 330k miles, has never had a VTEC malfunction of any kind.
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Current: 2023 GRC Circuit Edition, 2012 C63 AMG P31
Past: (2) 2000 MR2 Spyder, 2017 GTI Sport, 2006 Porsche Cayman S, Supercharged 2013 BRZ-L, 2007 Honda S2000, 1992 Integra GS-R