i think its a combination of improper cleaning stuffs with hand lotion chemicals mixing with sweat and pressure of the hands on the wheel working its way into the leather to accelerate wear...

hehe guess i'll be using some swissvax leather milk on my steering wheel tomorrow

 

you bought the car with the steering wheel lookin like that?! lol

 

Its not very noticeable to be honest with you, and actually I didn't notice it right away (the first time I went to see the car). It wasn't until the second (or maybe third) time that I noticed it. At that point I liked everything else about the car, I didn't want a few scratches on the steering wheel to kill the deal. Again, I know I wasn't buying a brand new car.