Brakes are no big deal, they do wear out. Just did a brake job on our 04 Mustang, is it not worth anything because it needed brakes?
If you have taken it to your mechanic,(trusted?) then he would be your best person to answer your questions about this vehicle because he has seen it and is probably unbiased.
If you do purchase it, drive it around town and on short trips before your dash to Alaska. Hopefully any potential problems will be found BEFORE your trip. I would also recommend changing all fluids as they can tell a story about condition and use.
Good luck with your decision.
