2008 SEAT Ibiza diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2008 SEAT Ibiza diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2008 SEAT Ibiza diesel than on all cars registered in 2008.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2.5× usual
  SEAT Ibiza

  16.5% All 2008 cars

  6.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7%, against 3% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

• Braking performance2.1× usual
  SEAT Ibiza

  14% All 2008 cars

  6.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.6%, against 2.7% of all 2008 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.

• Track rod ends2.2× usual
  SEAT Ibiza

  11% All 2008 cars

  5.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.7%, against 2.4% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

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

• Sidelights1.8× usual
  SEAT Ibiza

  13% All 2008 cars

  7.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 10.8%, against 6.3% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Steering rack inner joints2.9× usual
  SEAT Ibiza

  7.8% All 2008 cars

  2.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2008 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.

Common 2008 SEAT Ibiza diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2008 SEAT Ibiza diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  47% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  42% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Tyres
  39% 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
  38% 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.

• Driveshafts and joints
  17% of testsRough price £60–£350

  At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  15% 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 2008 SEAT Ibiza diesel

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.

• 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

• 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 2008 SEAT Ibiza diesel

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

1. Has the air con been regassed or repaired?
2. Have any window motors been replaced?
3. Has the boot ever been wet?
4. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2008 SEAT Ibiza diesel as on other cars the same age.)
5. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2008 SEAT Ibiza diesel as on other cars the same age.)
6. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2008 SEAT Ibiza diesel as on other cars the same age.)