Item: Used Seat Ibiza Hatchback 2008 - 2017
Rating: 3
Author: What Car? Team

A <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/polo/hatchback/used-review/n17425">Volkswagen Polo</a> will cost you more than an Ibiza, but will also hold on to its value better thanks to its classy image. Don’t ever rule out the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/fiesta/hatchback/used-review/n952">Ford Fiesta</a> in this class, either, for it remains the car that best combines practicality, fun and low running costs.

The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/corsa/hatchback/used-review/n799">Vauxhall Corsa</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/fabia/hatchback/used-review/n808">Skoda Fabia</a> are even better value than the Ibiza, if not as good to drive, and it’s also hard to ignore the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/rio/hatchback/used-review/n17562">Kia Rio</a>, particularly if you can find an example that is still within its seven-year manufacturer warranty.

Find a used Seat Ibiza in the What Car? Classifieds <a href="http://www.whatcar.com/classifieds/used-cars/seat/ibiza">here</a>

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What is it like?

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Gremlins can affect the air-conditioning and electric windows, so ensure these work, and if you’re looking at an Ibiza with the 1.2 TSI petrol engine listen out for a rattle from the timing chain, which could signal expensive repairs are imminent.

Some owners have also experienced problems with the DSG dual-clutch automatic gearbox, so check the oil has been changed every 40,000 miles years, and that the gears shifts smoothly.

Diesel Ibizas have been known to suffer from particulate filter problems if not regularly taken on long runs. On the subject of diesel, the Ibiza was sold with the EA189 engine in both 1.2 and 1.6 litre capacities that was recalled as part of the VW Dieselgate emissions scandal of 2015. Cars with the 1.2-litre TDI engine were also recalled due the possibility of a fault with the fuel filter, while all Ibizas built between April 2010 and November 2011 were recalled to remedy a problematic bonnet latch.

If you’re after a quick Ibiza it’s worth noting that the 1.4-litre twincharger petrol engine fitted to the Cupra can use a lot of oil, and is known for a litany of problems, some of which can result in engine failure. For that reason, it makes more sense to up your budget to the level of the more conventional 1.8-litre Cupra.

The Ibiza has a below-average rating in the What Car? Reliability Index, with the main areas for concern being the engine and electrical systems, followed by axle and suspension problems.

Seat as a brand fared slightly better though, with a ‘good’ rating that placed it ahead of Volkswagen, albeit still behind Ford, Peugeot, Kia and Skoda.

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Hatchback

Today, the resurgent Seat brand is selling better cars than at any time in its history.

In large part, that’s because it is one of the brands owned by the VW Group. Underneath, all of the cars it sells are strongly related to similar models sold by Volkswagen itself, or the likes of Skoda and even Audi. If you are buying a Leon, for example, the hardware will be similar to that of the Golf, Octavia and A3.

But while Seat makes the most of this tie-up to offer everything from city, small and family cars, including estates, through to a full range of SUVs, it also adds in its own slice of character, both with its distinctive styling approach and because its engineers generally tune the cars to deliver sportier handling.

While all of its cars are decent, it is the SUVs that stand out. The Arona and Ateca are among the class leaders and have enjoyed triumphs at the What Car? Awards.

SEAT

IBIZA

The Seat Ibiza was intended as a more stylish take on the Volkswagen Polo, but how does it fare as a used buy?

Used Seat Ibiza Hatchback 2008 - 2017

The most economical version of the Ibiza is the 1.2-litre TDI diesel in fuel-sipping Ecomotive trim. Low-rolling resistance tyres and revised gear ratios are among the changes that allowed this particular Ibiza to exceed 80mpg in official EU fuel economy tests, and while owners haven’t quite been able to match that figure, you can expect up to 65mpg in normal use.

CO2 emissions of 92g/km also means there’s no road tax to pay, although given the 1.4 TDI is just as economical in normal driving, costs no more than £20 per year to tax and yet is significantly better to drive, it represents the better diesel option.

As far as petrol engines go, you can expect upwards of 40mpg in normal driving in all but the Cupra (even these will average 36-38mpg if driven sensibly), with the standout being the turbocharged 1.2 TSI, which managed 55mpg in official tests and will edge close to 50mpg in normal use. Or, if you’re looking at a post-2015 facelift Ibiza, the 1.0-litre TSI engine offers similarly low running costs.

Servicing is required every 12 months or 10,000 miles and alternates between minor at £169 and major at £279 – both slightly more than you’ll pay for a Ford Fiesta. You also need to factor in a new cambelt every four years or 80,000 miles, which costs £329 on a petrol-engined Ibiza and £399 for a diesel. This is required on all but the 1.2 TSI engine, which instead uses a timing chain.

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The Seat Ibiza was intended as a more stylish take on the Volkswagen Polo, but how does it fare as a used buy?

The market for fourth-generation <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/seat">Seat</a> Ibizas starts at £1500, but you’ll be looking at a car with a mileage deep into six figures or a repaired Cat D write-off.

By £3000 you’ll start to see some earlier cars with sensible miles and a decent spec, with petrol engines outnumbering diesels by four-to-one.

Ibiza Cupra hot hatches cost from £5500 for the 1.4-litre twincharger engine and DSG automatic gearbox, or for a small premium you can opt for the rarer Bocanegra version with a gloss black nose. Post-2015 facelift Cupras were upgraded to include a turbocharged 1.8-litre engine and manual gearbox, but are also more than twice the price.

Nearly-new Ibizas sitting within Seat’s approved used programme with just a few thousand miles on the odometer might look like good value at £8000 or so, but with a replacement fifth-generation Ibiza now on sale, you can expect depreciation on these run-out models to be quite steep.

S or E versions of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/seat">Seat</a> Ibiza are spartan, so it’s better to move up the ladder to at least the SE. This includes what many would consider to be the basics of air conditioning, a trip computer, alloy wheels and split-folding rear seats. The Toca special edition adds a portable touchscreen navigation and Bluetooth system that clipped on to the top of the dashboard.

From here the range moves in a sportier direction with Sport, FR and special edition Ibizas such as the Copa (based on Sport but with extras including cruise control).

However, not every special edition was offered with every engine and gearbox combination, so the best approach is to choose your preferred engine first, ignore any cars in the most basic trims, and then buy on mileage, service history, condition and price.

Our favourite Seat Ibiza: 1.2 TSI SE

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<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Spacious enough for four adults to sit comfortably</li> <li>Logically laid-out interior that doesn’t</li> <li>feel too cheap</li> <li>Mature driving manners </li> <li>Decent-sized boot</li> <li>Competitive buying and running costs</li></ul>

Small cars, or superminis as they’re also known, used to be bought by single people or couples with no children – but the likes of the Ford Fiesta, Seat Ibiza and Volkswagen&nbsp;Polo have grown to the point where they can be considered all-round family transport, albeit with the odd compromise.

The Fiesta remains a star of the class, thanks to its strong Ecoboost petrol engines and suspension settings that are beautifully judged for British roads. However, the latest Volkswagen offers even more practicality, decent performance and a classy interior that has the edge on the Ford’s for quality.

Any of these models will be a competent commuter car – especially if fitted with one of the increasingly popular small turbocharged petrol engines – but just remember that while you’ll be able to carry two adults and two children, it might still be a struggle to get all of their luggage into the boot.

Small

Cars of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/seat">Seat</a> Ibiza’s size are often used in town, while their low running costs rightly appeal to drivers on a budget. Combine these two things and there’s a good chance that any scrapes to the paintwork or scratches to the alloy wheels will never have been repaired.

Similarly, it’s possible the Ibiza’s interior fixtures and fittings will have taken some abuse, and that engine warning lights or worn tyres won’t have been sorted, so spend time checking all of the basics. A full service history and a pile of paperwork detailing regular maintenance will provide further reassurance that a car has been well cared for.

If you’ve entertained the vague notion that the Seat Ibiza shares a family resemblance with the Volkswagen Polo, you’d be right. Spanish brand Seat has long played the role of understudy in the Volkswagen Group empire, putting in just as much work as its more prestigious Volkswagen and Audi partners, but rarely getting its time in the spotlight.

As a result, cars such as the Ibiza, which to all intents and purposes is a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/polo/hatchback/used-review/n17425">Polo</a> under the skin, have represented good options for the cost-conscious motorist.

This fourth generation of <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/seat">Seat</a>’s small car was launched in 2008 and carried on for nine years with only a couple of mild facelifts, with the first coming in 2012 and the second in 2015.

You’ll find three-door (SC) and five-door hatchback versions for sale as well as an estate (ST), all with a wide range of petrol and diesel engines. The ST was something of a niche choice, but sales between three- and five-door Ibizas were evenly split. Unsurprisingly it is the latter which makes for the more practical proposition, not only due to its extra doors, but also because the boot is larger; it just eclipses the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/fiesta/hatchback/used-review/n952">Ford Fiesta</a> for load volume.

Space in the rear is not quite up to Fiesta standards, however, with legroom in particular being tight for taller passengers. Up front is much better, and if the Ibiza’s dash is rather plain there was at least the option of selecting contrasting colours for selected pieces of trim to liven things up. Reach and height adjustment for the steering wheel, plus height adjustment for the driver’s seat on most versions of the Ibiza mean it’s easy to find a good driving position.

The engines all made their way over from the Polo, and include everything from a 1.0-litre petrol to a 1.4-litre ‘twincharger’ supercharged and turbocharged unit, plus diesels in 1.2-, 1.4- and 1.6-litre capacities. VW's DSG dual-clutch automatic gearbox was offered alongside cheaper manual versions.

Throw in a wide range of trim levels and there’s bound to be an Ibiza to suit most needs and tastes, and while it was never quite as grown-up to drive as its Polo stablemate, or as much fun as the Fiesta, the Ibiza did find a respectable middle ground between the two.

More important for the used buyer, perhaps, is that the Ibiza has always been keenly priced compared with the Polo – and to some extent, the Fiesta – and offers a bold exterior design and a more dynamic image than rivals from Japan and Korea.

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Used Seat Ibiza Hatchback 2008 - 2017 review

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Alternatives

What alternatives should I consider to a used Seat Ibiza hatchback?