2009 SEAT Ibiza petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2009 SEAT Ibiza petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2009 SEAT Ibiza petrol than on all cars registered in 2009.

• Track rod ends3.1× usual
  SEAT Ibiza

  15.1% All 2009 cars

  4.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.3%, against 2.4% of all 2009 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.

• Exhaust system2.1× usual
  SEAT Ibiza

  16.8% All 2009 cars

  7.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.1%, against 2.2% of all 2009 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.

• Link ball joint covers3× usual
  SEAT Ibiza

  8.6% All 2009 cars

  2.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.2%, against 1.6% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

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

• Shock absorbers1.6× usual
  SEAT Ibiza

  11.5% All 2009 cars

  7.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 2% of all 2009 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.

• Ball joint dust cover2× usual
  SEAT Ibiza

  8.2% All 2009 cars

  4.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 1.7% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

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

Common 2009 SEAT Ibiza petrol MOT failures and advisories

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

• Suspension
  53% 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
  31% 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
  27% 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
  19% 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 an engine warning light.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  12% 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.

Known faults on the 2009 SEAT Ibiza petrol

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

• 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 2009 SEAT Ibiza petrol

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. Have any window motors been replaced?
4. Has the boot ever been wet?
5. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 3.1× as often on the 2009 SEAT Ibiza petrol as on other cars the same age.)
6. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2009 SEAT Ibiza petrol as on other cars the same age.)