Faults:

Rear window wiper water pipe's plastic corner-piece broken by ice near the driver's side tail light.

General Comments:

This car beats many more expensive, same sized competitors.

Very strong down punch makes the 1.6 engine enjoyable to drive with no need for revving.

Rear view mirror too low for tall drivers, it blocks the view a little to "two o'clock".

Faults:

Rear seat belts were didn't retract properly from new.

Cat heat plate started rattling at 25,000 miles.

Passenger seat sliding mechanism became loose.

General Comments:

The car handles very well and is as quick or quicker than most boy racer cars.

The interior was very comfortable but a bit plastic.

From the outside the car looked great especially in metallic black.

Faults:

When I took delivery of the car, the heater controls did not work.

The dealer took 5 attempts to fix this.

The car leaked heavily with water in through the pedal area.

I was without the car for weeks at a time.

The temperature gauge has stopped working properly 3 times.

The radio unit with the Liquid Crystal Display Screen would not turn off and burnt out twice.

The car is difficult to start on cold mornings.

The car is plagued with rattles and squeaks.

General Comments:

I bought this car confident of the quality and the fact that Volkswagen own Seat.

This car has given nothing but trouble from day one.

Faults:

Firstly the ignition switch failed at about 4000 miles, and was repaired under warranty, no questions asked - but I was informed that this is a common fault.

General Comments:

This was one of the last of the previous shape in Bengal Yellow, 1.4s.

It stayed normal for a little while, then I purchased a chin spoiler for the front (Cordoba and GTi style- for £19 from main dealer), after this I fitted the rear tailgate reflective strip, replacing the black one, looks much better with the red one.

Alloys and a set of mud flaps and the only difference from the back (apart from the exhaust and badge) it looks like a GTi. So it suits me fine, GTi Pose for group 4 insurance price. OK it lacks the performance, but real GTi owners try and take me, I race for a while and lose.

Faults:

Naff all, passenger door hinge squeaks a little.

No problems as of yet.

General Comments:

Well wicked, looks gorgeous in lime green (fluorescent), handles like an F1 car, watch out Schumacher I'm on your tail.

The ride could be a little stiffer, slight oversteer at speed, wheels and tires do a cosmic job.

Faults:

New ignition switch needed.

Rear windscreen washer connection in the boot keeps detaching itself and squirting water in boot! (minor but very annoying!)

General Comments:

My first brand new car and first ever SEAT. Very impressed with the overall performance. Power delivery and engine response are both excellent considering it's only a 1.4!

Just serviced at 20,000 miles and only brake pads needed replacing. Overall build quality good (despite the washer niggle) with an unbeatable warranty.

Much sexier car to look at and drive than its sister the VW Polo.

Handling is excellent, corners are fun!!

My next SEAT will be a 1.8 20VT Sport Leon.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the Ibiza, it's the best value hatch around.

Faults:

The engine management system packed up within 200 miles.

The exhaust had developed a split within 10,000 miles.

General Comments:

The car is quick, not as quick as my previous car but it handles extremely well (except in the wet).

It is a no frills car which has been developed purely for speed, I travel to Germany a lot and therefore I am able to test exactly what it can do in a straight line, it will keep up with quite a few of the larger and more able cars up to 135mph!

I would only criticise the road noise and poor visibility from an otherwise great little toy.

Forget your Renault Clio Sports, Saxo VTS' or even the new Leon 20VT, for the money this will give them all a pasting!