Used car guide

2009 SEAT Ibiza: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2009 SEAT Ibizas, from 7,686 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

7,686MOT tests in 2025
53%pass first time (all 2009 cars: 58%)
6,400typical miles a year
3×the usual rate for track rod end

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2009 SEAT Ibizas than on all cars registered in 2009.

  • Track rod end3× usual
    SEAT Ibiza
    16.2% All 2009 cars
    5.4%
    Rough price £80–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Exhaust system1.9× usual
    SEAT Ibiza
    16.2% All 2009 cars
    8.4%
    Rough price £100–£500

    At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints1.6× usual
    SEAT Ibiza
    17.7% All 2009 cars
    11.1%
    Rough price £100–£300

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Link ball joint covers2.7× usual
    SEAT Ibiza
    8.4% All 2009 cars
    3.1%
    Rough price £80–£200

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Shock absorbers1.7× usual
    SEAT Ibiza
    12.8% All 2009 cars
    7.5%
    Rough price £150–£400

    At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 1.5% here, against 7.5% of all 2009 cars. Sub-frame: 3.6% here, against 7.7% of all 2009 cars.

By area

The share of 2009 SEAT Ibiza MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    57% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Tyres
    38% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Brakes
    32% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    29% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    18% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    15% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20218,452Tyres 27%
20207,527Tyres 30%
201911,612Tyres 30%
201812,945Tyres 31%
201715,721Tyres 34%
201618,148Suspension 37%
201517,775Suspension 40%
201419,024Suspension 42%
201315,854Suspension 45%
201212,799Suspension 46%
201112,746Suspension 51%
20109,447Suspension 53%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2009 SEAT Ibizas registered in 2009. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score