# Polestar 2 — Used Car Buying Guide

AutoScout's analysis of the Polestar 2 on the UK used-car market. Backed by 33 million DVSA MOT tests, current AutoTrader pricing, and depreciation curves derived from CAP/Glass's Guide data.

Live interactive report: https://autoscout.fyi/cars/polestar-2

## Verdict

- **Best value year**: 2022
- **Ideal trim**: Long Range Single Motor
- **Target mileage**: 30,000–40,000 miles
- **Max previous owners**: 2
- **Target price**: £20,000

## Why this model

The Polestar 2 is a fantastic choice if you're looking for a stylish, performance-oriented electric car with a premium feel. It blends Scandinavian design with strong performance and a practical hatchback body. Being an EV, it's cheap to run, especially if you can charge at home. It also benefits from Volvo's safety heritage and a liquid-cooled battery, which helps maintain battery health and charging speeds over time. The 67kWh usable battery offers a decent real-world range for most journeys.

## What you should pay

The used EV market has seen significant price adjustments recently, making cars like the Polestar 2 excellent value. A 2022 Long Range Single Motor, which would have been around £45,000-£47,000 new, can now be found for around £20,000. This price reflects the general softening of the used EV market, particularly after Tesla's price cuts. This means you're getting a lot of car for your money, with much of the initial depreciation already absorbed by the first owner. Always check the battery's State of Health (SoH) if possible, though Polestar's liquid-cooled system generally performs well, with expected degradation around 1.8% per year.

## Which trim to buy

The Long Range Single Motor trim offers the best balance of range, performance, and value. While the Dual Motor is quicker, the Single Motor is still plenty fast for UK roads and provides a better real-world range and efficiency, making it cheaper to run. It also tends to be more affordable on the used market than the Dual Motor, giving you more bang for your buck without sacrificing much in terms of features or daily usability. The 67kWh usable battery provides a good balance for daily commutes and longer trips.

## What to check before you buy

- Infotainment software glitches (can often be resolved with updates)
- 12V battery drain or failure (can immobilise the car, often a simple fix or replacement)
- Some reports of suspension noise or minor interior trim rattles
- Higher tyre wear due to vehicle weight and instant torque

## Running costs

Running a Polestar 2 is very cost-effective, especially with home charging. Based on a real-world efficiency of 3.2 mi/kWh: If you're on a standard home electricity rate (around 24.5p/kWh), it'll cost you about 7.7p/mile, or roughly £771 per year for 10,000 miles. However, if you switch to a smart EV tariff like Octopus Go or Intelligent Octopus (around 9p/kWh overnight), this drops significantly to about 2.8p/mile, or just £283 per year for 10,000 miles – a saving of £488 annually! Road tax for EVs is free until April 2025, after which it will be £195 per year. Insurance costs will vary but expect to pay between £600-£1000 annually, depending on your personal circumstances.

## Key stats

- **Fuel Type**: Electric
- **Horsepower**: 231 hp (Single Motor)
- **Mpg**: N/A (3.2 mi/kWh equivalent)
- **Reliability Score**: Good, with some reported software and 12V battery issues.
- **Safety Rating**: 5-star Euro NCAP (2021)

## Trim comparison

| Trim | Price new | Price used | Key features |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Standard Range Single Motor | £40,900 | £18,000 | 67kWh usable battery; 231 hp; 273 miles WLTP range |
| Long Range Single Motor | £45,900 | £20,000 | 67kWh usable battery (as per prompt data); 231 hp; 273 miles WLTP range |
| Long Range Dual Motor | £49,900 | £23,000 | 78kWh usable battery (actual for LRDM); 408 hp; 292 miles WLTP range |

## Depreciation forecast

| Year | Estimated value | Retention |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 2026 | £20,000 | 100% |
| 2027 | £17,000 | 85% |
| 2028 | £14,960 | 74.8% |
| 2029 | £13,464 | 67.32% |
| 2030 | £12,387 | 61.93% |

Buying a 3-4 year old Polestar 2 like a 2022 model means you're entering the market at a sweet spot. The steepest part of the depreciation curve has already been absorbed by the first owner, and the car still benefits from modern tech, good battery health (thanks to liquid cooling), and potentially remaining manufacturer warranty. While EVs are still seeing some market adjustments, the rate of depreciation should slow down compared to its initial years.

Total value lost since new: 38.07%.

## Alternatives to consider

- [Tesla Model 3](https://autoscout.fyi/cars/tesla-model-3.md)
- [Hyundai IONIQ 5](https://autoscout.fyi/cars/hyundai-ioniq-5.md)
- [Kia EV6](https://autoscout.fyi/cars/kia-ev6.md)

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Source: AutoScout (https://autoscout.fyi). Part of a review of the UK used-car market across 500+ models.