Check this before bying a Polestar 2

🚗 Polestar 2 – Complete Pre-Purchase Checklist

🔋 1. Battery & Range

  • Check the Projected Range at 100% charge and compare it to WLTP.
    Large deviations may indicate battery degradation.
  • Ask about the charging history:
    • Frequent DC fast charging can accelerate degradation (especially NMC packs).
  • Verify whether the car has a heat pump (important for winter efficiency).
  • Check battery temperature behaviour if possible (slow DC charging when warm = suspicious).

⚡ 2. Charging (DC + AC)

  • DC fast charging test (if possible):
    • Should reach 130–150 kW on Long Range / Dual Motor versions with a warm battery.
  • AC charging test:
    • Should charge steadily at 11 kW.
  • Inspect the charging port lock mechanism, known to fail on early models.
  • Check for repeated past errors such as:
    • “DC charging unavailable”
    • “Charging port error”

🚘 3. Powertrain & Driving Feel

Driveshafts / Axles (known weak point)

  • Listen for:
    • Clunk / knock when accelerating from a stop.
    • Noise when switching from Drive → Reverse.
    • Vibrations in pedals or floor at 30–80 km/h.
  • “Nose-dive” or “nodding” when accelerating can indicate worn shafts.

Other drivetrain checks

  • No pulling to one side during acceleration or braking.
  • No vibration at highway speed.
  • Acceleration should be smooth and linear.

🛞 4. Tyres & Wheels

  • Check for even tyre wear – uneven patterns indicate alignment issues.
  • Inspect brake discs for rust buildup (common on EVs).
  • Look for rim damage, especially on 20″ wheels (very common on Polestar 2).

🧱 5. Known Weak Points – Check Thoroughly

  • Front suspension top mounts / strut bearings – can cause knocking.
  • 12V battery (early models had failures).
  • Rear door seal leaks – check for moisture inside.
  • Parking sensors and cameras may intermittently fail.
  • Software-related issues such as:
    • “Pilot Assist unavailable”
    • “Front radar blocked”
  • Check if all recalls and TSBs (Technical Service Bulletins) have been applied.

🛋 6. Interior & Exterior

  • Inspect panel alignment; early cars had inconsistent build quality.
  • Check doors, windows, charging flap, and tailgate motor function.
  • Look for moisture in rear tail lights, a common issue.
  • Test all seat heaters, steering heater, and climate cabin fan levels.

🧭 7. Autopilot / Driver Assistance Systems

  • Test Pilot Assist:
    • Lane keep performance
    • Adaptive cruise smoothness
  • Test all safety features:
    • AEB (Automatic Emergency Braking)
    • Collision warnings
    • Lane departure warning
  • Check the 360 camera view for blind or glitchy segments.

📱 8. Infotainment & Google Automotive

  • Test Google Maps routing and latency.
  • Test voice command (“Hey Google”).
  • Spotify, Bluetooth streaming, phone calls.
  • Check system version and look for available updates.
  • Test all climate functions via the central screen.

🧾 9. Service, Warranty & History

  • Verify digital service records in the Polestar system.
  • Check:
    • Outstanding recalls
    • Battery warranty: 8 years / 160,000 km
    • Bumper-to-bumper warranty: 3 years (sometimes 5 years depending on campaigns)
  • Review previous repair history for:
    • Driveshaft replacement
    • Suspension repairs
    • Charging port repairs

🏁 10. Test Drive – What to Pay Attention To

  • Listen for:
    • Front-end knocking (strut mounts)
    • Driveshaft clunks
    • Excessive wind noise around A-pillars
  • Test:
    • Full acceleration → should be smooth
    • Regenerative braking on all levels
    • Braking performance at different speeds
  • Assess road noise on rough asphalt – P2 is naturally on the louder side, but not excessively.