'13 TWO Pre-Purchase & Found 5W30 Used - Abort Purchase?

I wouldn’t be especially concerned about the use of 5w30. There are some folks here that believe the use of slightly higher viscosity oil reduces oil burning risk. Also, being located in Georgia- a warmer climate- reinforces the use of a slightly higher oil viscosity (IMHO).

 

There was a 103,000 oil change interval. Not sure how to say this but...run.

 

That looks like a typo. The next two were within reason....

 

That's not a big enough reason to bail when taken in isolation. You need to discern between a pattern of abuse or a somewhat odd choice for motor oil. I'm pretty sure 5W-30 is listed in one of the temperature/duty bands printed in the owner's manual.

 

I'd avoid a Prius that used 0-20

 

It comes from the factory with that. Basically you would have to avoid any new car

 

Or ODO was tampered. Seen some turd gens with tampered odo flagged on the carfax print out on Carmax vehicles.

 

I'll buy the typo explanation. If the car is truly one owner, it doesn't seem likely that he has been putting on less than 1,000 mi per month, then suddenly does 99,000 in 10 months, then goes back to less than 1,000 per month again. I would be more concerned about what appears to be a year and a half interval between oil changes, than the use of 5W-30. There is bound to be sludge buildup in the crankcase with a large number of short trips between oil changes, synthetic oil notwithstanding. If the car is otherwise in decent shape, I guess I could still go ahead with the purchase, if the price is right.

 

Mine is a '14 and the car came with "Free Maint" for 25,000 miles. The oil and filter changes were scheduled for 10,000 and 20,000 miles as well as an inspection and tire rotation. Inspections and tire rotations took place at 5,000, 15,000, and 25,000 miles. I am guesing that the owner wanted the oil changes done more frequently than 10,000 miles and used up his "Free" oil changes at an earlier interval.

Sounds like the owner was very diligent in regards to maintenance but I do question why he insisted on 5w30.

 

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Don’t like playing the devils advocate but there are sellers out there willing to saying anything to convince buyers to buy. If a good part of your life depends on the next vehicle purchase, I’d still run.

 

With low miles very likely in good shape. Test drive, see how it sounds and feels. Look it over carefully, inside and out, and the underside.

 

Oil change interval is 10,000 or 1 year. Looks like the services took place about 6 months apart. Thinking back, I received emails every 6 months reminding me my service was due. The second reminder came after I had already used up all 5 free services.

 

I think it sounds like a good, well cared for car. It is always a chance but you have done due diligence and that is low miles with proof it was cared for. I would not fault anyone for buying that car if the price was reasonable. Good luck.

 

What are you seeing, to say that?