🚗 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.