2000 Seat Ibiza Vibe review from UK and Ireland

I have had 4 servo pipes on this car, a known fault, but nonetheless I found this problem quite frightening. The one I have fitted now seems to be okay. On one occasion the servo failed, and I was traveling through some traffic lights, and had to use the handbrake to stop the car once through the lights.

Gearbox failed at 54 000, had a re-conditioned one fitted, managed to buy it for 185 pounds + 75 for fitting. Seat quoted 1200 for gearbox plus 350 labour, plus 300 to import gearbox, which they said I would get back!!

Had numerous sensors fitted, which seem to fail frequently, namely lambda and cold temperature sensor.

Cam belt fitted at 17 000 when I bought car, cam belt failed at 80 000, even though manufacturers book states 120 000. On contacting Seat, they said that they were advising customers to change it at 50 000. I have never received a letter advising me of this. They have my details as they advised about the servo pipe failure!

Clutch problems - very heavy. Needs a lot of gas to move the car!.

Pedal box has split - this has been welded at a local garage, apparently this is a common problem according to the garage I took it to. Seat quoted 500 pounds to replace.

Someone crashed in to the car, and the car required extensive repairs to it, the parts had to be ordered, and all in all, the car was off the road for over 2 months due to the wait for parts. Lucky for me that someone hit me and I was able to claim for the hire car from the other party.

In short, this car has been a complete nightmare from start to finish.