17th May 2009, 22:04

I think it's the inner protective sleeve that makes the clutch cable stiff. To be honest, they should just make the cable thicker and coat it in something so it slides more freely.

14th Jul 2009, 04:59

I'm looking to buy a second hand car in Greece and have come across a SEAT 1.4 Ibiza (2001) model. It has 78.000km and a REALLY stiff clutch. I've asked them to fix it before I buy it, but after reading all these comments about the clutch in general I'm a bit worried... should I bother?

21st Jul 2009, 03:29

Exactly the same issues the clutch. Had it repaired and worked lovely for a few days, nice and loose, then all of a sudden rock solid again. This comes 1000 miles after the clutch pedal box goes and breaks (pedal fell to floor and locked in gear) breakdown job. Don't get me wrong, they are nice cars, but come on, is every Ibiza Seat have ever built going to have a naff clutch?

SORT IT OUT SEAT.

28th Jul 2009, 10:05

I have owned a Seat Ibiza from new. It is now 8 years old and I think it's a great car, we had a new water pump two years ago, but apart from the usual tyres and brakes, it has been excellent. No issues with the clutch or gearbox, it is very nifty and smooth at high speeds and very economical. I love it and would recommend them.

20th Aug 2009, 18:48

I have just test drove a 2001 1.4 Ibiza and it does seem the clutches on all of them are naff. Not only was it stiff as hell, but the biting point was way high. I spoke to a mechanic mate and he said that all seats of that age have really stiff clutches, so I have decided to ignore it as a huge problem and just learnt to drive it the way it is.

11th Sep 2009, 09:43

I've had my 2001 1.4 Seat Ibiza for nearly 3 years now and it's been a nightmare the whole time!

Having clutch/gearbox problems at the moment and considering getting rid!

Wouldn't recommend these cars at all...

14th Oct 2009, 20:43

Don't buy one of these cars! Got mine around 6 months ago with 40k on the clock. I've had to put in a new pedal box, clutch, clutch cable, spark plugs, coil pack, and well well well, the exhaust just broke, and guess what, it needs a full new exhaust. Due to the year of the car, the exhaust is all one piece rather than 3 parts. Now saying that, after I got the clutch done, it's super soft, no stiffness. But stay clear of Seat Ibizas, get a Ford LOL.

28th Jan 2010, 07:20

When my miserable little 1.3 Fiesta Flight died in October last year, I bought a 51 plate SEAT Ibiza 1.4 to replace it. I think that it's a good car for the price, comfortable to drive, easy to manoeuvre and cheap to run. Mine's just gone over 60000 miles, so needs the timing belt changing, but aside from that it's had no issues in its entire service history.

The clutch is a little heavy, but nothing a slight change in driving style won't fix. Compared to my previous cars, the Ibiza is a proper robust vehicle, and I'd recommend it to anyone who wants a decent car without a massive price tag.

28th Feb 2010, 17:45

I have just put a deposit down on a Ibiza Chill. It needs a clean, but after a 30 minute test drive on all types of road, I felt it was great. After reading some of these comments, I am concerned for the future of the gearbox and clutch, but I am willing to give it a go.

5th Apr 2010, 17:25

I have a Seat Ibiza, had it for years, got the stiff clutch problem as well. Apart from the usual wear and tear, this has been a great reliable car, wouldn't be put off buying another one.

15th Sep 2010, 20:59

I purchased the Chill 1.4 in 2001 from new, and converted it to LPG after the warranty expired.

A lot of my problems I put down to the LPG conversion, and this is probably what has ultimately lead to the death of the car. There were numerous other problems with the car over the years, and I spent an awful lot of money on it.

The electrics were terrible. After 5 years, the speakers failed with a short circuit, followed by one of electric windows, which just collapsed. Then there was the window wiper stalk, which failed and cost £500 to replace. I remember driving down the A1 with the wipers going on their own, and water spraying constantly into the traffic behind me!

Then the pedal bracket snapped and cost £400 to replace. I have also had problems with the gear transmission and rear brakes.

I then started recently getting misfires on two cylinders, and the diagnosis is a serious engine problem, which is more than the car is worth to fix.

Strangely, I have the same clutch, and have never had any problems with it in 9 years!

I think I got a bad apple, as not all Ibiza's have had this problem, but make your own mind up!

18th Oct 2010, 18:44

Hi guys an gals. I have enjoyed reading your reviews on the Seat Ibiza.

I just bought a 2001 plate, 32000 on the clock. It was a wee old lady's which has been sitting in her garage for 3 years, after she was put into the hard shoulder. It spooked her out.

Now after reading some of the problems related to this car, I'm very worried about the problems I will face with it sitting all that time.

I put a new battery and four new tyres on it, and it flew through its MOT. I upgraded my breakdown recovery! LOL. Nervous wreck. Plus, I just fell out with my mechanic. He's a hot head. It was him that sold me it for £1000, he bought it for £700, serviced and did the MOT for me, so he didn't make much.

Worried new Seat driver.

1st Nov 2010, 15:31

Bought my son an Ibiza 1.4S, a nightmare, engine management light keeps coming on, reset and no faults, after a week it's back on again, stiff clutch, and now the radio is constantly on. If you knock it off, you don't get more than 5 feet from the car and it's back on, fuse taken out for now. When the radio was still live, it would flash up 'TELEPHONE' or all the characters on the display would be all over the place. The central locking kicks in and out on its own when driving along.

Worst car I ever bought...