Faults:

Coil packs - 2 coil packs replaced in 2011.

Timing chain slipped at the 79,000 miles point in January 2013 - this is apparently a common problem of this year of Seat Ibiza from other reviews I have read - either of this year (2003) or after 50,000 miles. The car just would not fire one evening after work, when I had driven it that day without any indication anything was wrong - the garage (local - not Seat) said they hooked it up to a diagnostic check and it showed it was either one of two things - the throttle body or accelerator pedal. They replaced the cheapest one - accelerator pedal (£90), but that did not fix the problem. I asked them to hold on the throttle body until I had made some enquiries. Rang a Seat garage, who said it would not be the throttle body - "ask them to check the timing chain" - they did and said it had slipped.

The timing chain kit cost me £177.00 + VAT. The local garage said not to get another Seat one, as the one he removed was thin and not good quality.

Rear windscreen wiper - stopped working 2011.

Air conditioning blows out warm sometimes.

General Comments:

If the car won't start and the battery is fine (as was mine), get the timing chain checked - call a Seat garage if not having the work done by them, and ask for some general advice first. It saved me having a throttle body changed for no reason at £400+!!!

Faults:

First thing, was after less than a year, the coil packs went.

Then just after that, the rear window washer no longer worked.

After about 4 years, the passenger side door window fell into the door panel; a common fault apparently.

Then the heater failed to work. The car either blows hot when I want it cold, or cold when I want it hot. Air conditioner doesn't work at all. Was told it wasn't worth having repaired, as it's too expensive!

The engine warning light began to light up. At first this was intermittently, and eventually stayed on for good. I had it checked out, and they found nothing wrong. Another common fault apparently!

Then the driver's side door window did the same (now I know why they said it's a common fault).

Other little faults have been the interior light failing to work, the electronic key not working, and the lights misting up.

Now finally the timing belt has gone, which I suppose is my fault, as it's done 99000 miles and I should have had it changed. I'd have thought the garage would have advised me on this when I got it serviced every year.

I shall get the timing belt replaced, and because of the cost, carry on with this car for about another year (if it can last that long), then get rid!

No way will I get a Seat again. A nice looking car and voted Super Mini of the Year 2003, but very unreliable!

General Comments:

Looks nice.

Handles OK.

Seats stain when you try and clean them; I have a grey interior.

Faults:

Rear washer has never worked for more than 2 days at a time from new. Gave up taking it back to the main dealers, as they are next to useless, and it was costing me to get there. Therefore haven't bothered with it for over 5 years (it's a design fault with the reservoir in the front, and an inaccessible multi joined tube running to the back, that disconnects as you drive off the forecourt - SEAT have/had no interest in correcting it).

Ignition coils have gone twice (70,000 and 90,000), but have appreciated the "get me home" mode the car goes into (although 40mph on the M11 on a Friday rush hour was not appreciated by fellow tax payers).

Lambda sensor changed twice (60,000 and 110,000). Engine races in traffic at traffic lights, and dies when the clutch is let out. Switching the engine off and on resets it, and it could be fine for weeks or seconds!

Cat converter gave up at 110,000, but this was probably accelerated by the lambda problems.

Engine warning light coming on in the early years would lead to a time off and a trip to the dealers for diagnosis (cup of tea and a backside scratch) and repair (plug in computer and press reset). Various lights, including engine warning and ECN, have now been permanently on for over 50,000 miles to no ill effect (they are obviously included on this vehicle for decoration, as is the flashing temperature warning light, the outside temperature gauge and the fuel gauge) - all haven't worked or have been permanently on for the past 3 years (60,000).

General Comments:

But... the car is brilliant to drive, looks good, bodywork still looks new (don't look inside as the seat fabrics are dirt magnets) and MPG, insurance, non dealer servicing are cheap, and it's very practical.

It's a shame that the modern way is to load a car with computers and electronics, as if this car had a simple fuel injected engine, and all else old school mechanics, we would all be raving about it, even if it cost 10% more in fuel.