2016 SEAT Ibiza diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2016 SEAT Ibiza diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2016 SEAT Ibiza diesel than on all cars registered in 2016.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints3.8× usual
  SEAT Ibiza

  18.4% All 2016 cars

  4.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.3%, against 0.9% of all 2016 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.

• Shock absorbers4.6× usual
  SEAT Ibiza

  16.4% All 2016 cars

  3.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 0.8% of all 2016 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.

• Braking performance2.6× usual
  SEAT Ibiza

  6% All 2016 cars

  2.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 0.8% of all 2016 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.

• Washers2.5× usual
  SEAT Ibiza

  4.2% All 2016 cars

  1.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.2%, against 1.7% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

  At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

• Exhaust system2× usual
  SEAT Ibiza

  3.4% All 2016 cars

  1.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.1%, against 0.4% of all 2016 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 2016 SEAT Ibiza diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2016 SEAT Ibiza diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  37% 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.

• Suspension
  37% 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.

• Brakes
  28% 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
  12% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  9% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Oil and fluid leaks
  4% 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 2016 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 2016 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 suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.8× as often on the 2016 SEAT Ibiza diesel as on other cars the same age.)
5. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 4.6× as often on the 2016 SEAT Ibiza diesel as on other cars the same age.)
6. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the 2016 SEAT Ibiza diesel as on other cars the same age.)