Reliability, safety, running costs and what to check before you buy.
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With 214,828 currently licensed in the UK, the SEAT Ibiza is one of Britain's most popular cars.
Euro NCAP awarded the Ibiza 5 stars in 2017, with 95% adult occupant and 77% child protection scores.
It has a 78.2% first-time MOT pass rate — above the UK national average of 72%. Common MOT failure areas include suspension, lighting, brakes.
Annual running costs are estimated at £2,316 for a typical 5-year-old example, breaking down to £193/month or 29p/mile.
NCAP Safety
2017
MOT Pass Rate
78.2%
120,000 tests
Monthly Cost
£193
est. annual total
New From
£20,000
Euro NCAP tested the Ibiza in 2017 and awarded it 5 out of 5 stars.
Adult Occupant
95%
Child Occupant
77%
Pedestrian
78%
Safety Assist
67%
There are 17 known DVSA recalls affecting the SEAT Ibiza. Enter a registration number to check whether a specific vehicle is affected.
R/2025/230
On affected vehicles defective passenger airbags may have been fitted. On affected vehicles the passenger airbag should be deactivated and the passenger seat not used until the recall action has been completed.
Build dates: 2023-08-30 to 2025-02-03
R/2023/273
In vehicles produced in a specific period with airbags from manufacturer Takata in the event of an accident with airbag activation the driver airbag gas generator housing may explode.�
Build dates: 2015-07-04 to 2017-05-19
R/2020/113
It is possible that the bracket of the double belt buckle has been damaged during the forming process.
Build dates: 2020-02-26 to 2020-02-27
R/2020/090
It is possible that engine oil reaches the brake servo through the vacuum hose from the tandem pump to the brake servo.
Build dates: 2019-08-22 to 2020-02-03
R/2019/157
Drivers air bag may not inflate at the correct rate.
Build dates: 2017-12-01 to 2017-12-17
+ 12 more recalls. Check a specific vehicle to see the full list.
Based on 120,000 MOT tests, the Ibiza has a first-time pass rate of 78.2% — above the UK national average of 72%.
This is a positive sign for reliability. The Ibiza is less likely to have issues at MOT time than the average car on UK roads.
Annual running costs for a typical 5-year-old SEAT Ibiza are estimated at around £2,316 per year, or £193 per month.
Fuel
£989
/year
Road Tax
£195
/year
Depreciation
£727
/year
MOT
£55
/year
Estimated annual running costs based on available data. Excludes insurance, parking, and finance costs. Actual costs depend on your driving habits and circumstances.
The Ibiza achieves a combined fuel economy of around 53.3 mpg (41.5 mpg urban, 52.3 mpg extra-urban).
| Variant | Fuel | Combined | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|
| IBIZA | PETROL | 53.3 mpg | 1.0L |
| IBIZA | PETROL | 50.4 mpg | 1.0L |
| IBIZA | PETROL | 47.9 mpg | 1.2L |
| IBIZA | PETROL | 43.5 mpg | 1.4L |
| IBIZA | DIESEL | 74.3 mpg | 1.4L |
| IBIZA | PETROL | 35.8 mpg | 1.6L |
| IBIZA | PETROL | 35.8 mpg | 1.6L |
| IBIZA | PETROL | 44.8 mpg | 1.6L |
Starting from £20,000 new, a SEAT Ibiza typically retains about 50% after 3 years and 42% after 5 years.
| Age | Retained | Est. Value | Lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | 68% | £13,500 | −£6,500 |
| 2 years | 57% | £11,500 | −£8,500 |
| 3 years | 50% | £10,100 | −£9,900 |
| 4 years | 45% | £9,100 | −£10,900 |
| 5 years | 42% | £8,350 | −£11,650 |
| 6 years | 39% | £7,800 | −£12,200 |
| 7 years | 37% | £7,300 | −£12,700 |
| 8 years | 35% | £6,950 | −£13,050 |
| 9 years | 33% | £6,600 | −£13,400 |
| 10 years | 31% | £6,250 | −£13,750 |
There are currently 214,828 licensed and 15,797 SORN Ibizas in the UK (230,625 total). This makes it a very common vehicle on UK roads.
The Ibiza has a 78.2% first-time MOT pass rate based on 120,000 tests — above the UK national average of 72%. This suggests good overall reliability.
Euro NCAP awarded the Ibiza 5 out of 5 stars when tested in 2017. It scored 95% for adult occupant protection, 77% for child occupant protection, 78% for vulnerable road users, and 67% for safety assist features.
Annual running costs for a typical 5-year-old Ibiza are estimated at around £2,316 per year (£193/month). This includes fuel, road tax, depreciation, and MOT fees — but excludes insurance, servicing, and repairs.
There are 17 known safety recalls affecting the Ibiza. These are issued by the DVSA when a safety defect is found. You can check if a specific vehicle is affected by entering its registration number.
A new Ibiza starts from around £20,000. After 5 years, a typical example retains about 42% of its original value.
Enter the registration to check its full MOT history, tax status, mileage, recalls and estimated value — all free.
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