2005 Seat Ibiza Cupra TDI review from UK and Ireland

Nothing but wear and tear.

Clutch needed to be replaced after 17,000 miles of chipped use.

Pothole killed one alloy/tyre, and the alloy design is practically poor (sticks out beyond the tyre)

Front tyres wear on inside badly (common VAG issue) and were really worn out at 14k miles on a 1" band, but still looked good from the kerbside until 18k miles (Dual carriage commute, so not tearing around)

Replaced disks and pads on rear at 18k miles due to rust; this was already going wrong at the 18 months/6k miles I bought the car at.

Chipped to 215hp/312 ftlbs by Star Performance.

Can do 50mpg, but really 43-45mpg is more likely on open roads, 1-2 mpg more with Shell fuel. Push it and 38mpg more likely. Stay below 2000 rpm for max economy. The 130 non Cupra diesel is far more economic for some reason; it will do 55mpg and can be chipped to standard Cupra power.

Interior is cheap, plastics scratchy/poor. The black cloth marks easily and shows the dirt. Working on the dash is hard as it is one piece (DIY cruise control fitted). Boot carpet marks easily, but it does hide a full sized spare which is nice. Boot/rear legroom is actually bigger than a 2002 Golf!

Headlights are really poor; really should upgrade, but my dual carriageway commute means it does not really matter.

Brakes OK, but actual think the Golf 1 piston big brakes are easier to modulate compared to these AP 4 pot, and the front brakes limit what wheels fit and mean the alloys stick out. Back brake pad design is poor, so they tend to rust up; I use the handbrake gently to keep them clear.

Ride is harsh/crashy, Handling is not great, but road holding is pretty good.

Fast, reasonably economic, stealthy Q-car to most, not bad compromise, just wish you could have got leather inside with VW plastics.

Hard to find one, and seems to keep its value more than other cars.

The Cupra extras are a bit Max Power (red brake callipers, which are flawed in design as the Seat designer did not understand brakes!), wheels that are compromised by those brakes! But you do get better seats, but you lose the multifunction steering wheel for some more red trimmed black leather.