2013 SEAT Ibiza: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2013 SEAT Ibiza?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2013 SEAT Ibiza than on all cars registered in 2013.

• Shock absorbers2.9× usual
  SEAT Ibiza

  15.5% All 2013 cars

  5.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 1.2% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

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

• Steering rack inner joints5.9× usual
  SEAT Ibiza

  10.7% All 2013 cars

  1.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

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

• Suspension arm bushes and joints2× usual
  SEAT Ibiza

  15.1% All 2013 cars

  7.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.1%, against 1.7% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

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

• Braking performance2.2× usual
  SEAT Ibiza

  9.6% All 2013 cars

  4.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 1.6% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

• Exhaust system2.2× usual
  SEAT Ibiza

  9% All 2013 cars

  4.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 1.2% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

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

Common 2013 SEAT Ibiza MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2013 SEAT Ibiza MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  40% 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
  36% 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
  30% 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
  23% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Steering
  13% of testsRough price £100–£450

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  11% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Known faults on the 2013 SEAT Ibiza

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Timing chain wear (1.2 TSI petrol)

  1.2 TSI petrol (older engine)

  The older 1.2 TSI petrol uses a timing chain that can stretch. It starts as a rattle, especially when the engine first starts, and if it’s left the chain can fail and destroy the engine. Some garages advise changing it as often as every four years or 40,000 miles.

  At the viewing: Start the engine from cold and listen for a rattle in the first few seconds. Ask whether the chain has been changed, with an invoice.

  Source: Parkers: Volkswagen Polo (2009-2017) used review

• Unreliable air conditioning

  All engines

  The air conditioning can give trouble and repairs can be costly.

  At the viewing: Run the air con on full. It should blow cold within a minute, with no hissing.

  Source: Auto Express: used SEAT Ibiza Mk4

• Fuel filter recall (1.2 TDI diesel)

  1.2 TDI diesel

  1.2 diesels built between May 2010 and October 2014 were recalled because the fuel filter could crack and leak.

  At the viewing: Ask a SEAT dealer to confirm the recall work was done, and sniff for diesel around the engine.

  Source: Auto Express: used SEAT Ibiza Mk4

• Electric window motors that short out

  All engines

  The window motors can fail, so a window may stop, refuse to move or even move by itself.

  At the viewing: Open and close every window fully on the test drive.

  Source: Auto Express: used SEAT Ibiza Mk4

• Rear washer pipe that leaks into the boot

  All engines

  The rear washer's feed pipe can come loose and fill the boot with water.

  At the viewing: Lift the boot floor and feel the carpet for damp, then try the rear washer.

  Source: Auto Express: used SEAT Ibiza Mk4

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2013 SEAT Ibiza

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Has the timing chain been changed, and is there an invoice? Does it rattle when you start it from cold?
2. Has the air con been regassed or repaired?
3. Has the fuel filter recall been done?
4. Have any window motors been replaced?
5. Has the boot ever been wet?
6. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 2.9× as often on the 2013 SEAT Ibiza as on other cars the same age.)