2001 Seat Ibiza Cupra 20VT from UK and Ireland - Comments

1. Loose front grille.

2. Bulb failure of internal light.

3. White paint on seat belt buckle - waited 4 months for a replacement.

4. Exhaust silencer problems - repairs of this led to further problems where by the exhaust was banging against the body of the car - both problems were still in evidence despite 4 repair attempts.

5. Excessive creaks from the entire dashboard.

6. Defective Traction Control System (TCS) - TCS indicator light did not come on when starting the engine, but comes on if the TCS button is held in. Never felt the TCS system working despite setting off at speed in the wet - the car just spins it's wheels.

Great drivers car, but extremely badly built. I should have smelt a rat when the showroom car that I test drove had faulty windscreen wipers. The car had faults that the dealer failed to fix time and time again and the part supply situation was a joke. Waiting 4 months for a replacement seat belt is unacceptable.

It's a seriously quick car, but the power isn't all that immediate - you have to work the gears to get the most out of the engine. The other main problem with the car however is it's rock like suspension. This would be great on a track, but on Britain's pot-holed roads it soon becomes an irritation. Especially when the car is so badly built that over time it seems to shake itself to bits!

I'd had enough of the car and it's many faults after just 6 months. I then traded it in at a massive loss. Ah well, you win some you lose some...

I had the same kind of experience with a Seat Leon, bad quality, bad service, bad car.

Sold it after 7 months losing 3000 Pounds in the process, but I'm happy I got rid of it.

Seat? never again!

I aggree... I own a SEAT IBIZA CUPRA 2000 model (With ESP) and the problem I've had six months after I bought up until June 2003 was ESP. I fixed (actually tried to fix it) numerous times and the last time which was June 2003 seemed to be OK,.. but it's only been a month! Other problems were the indicator for the airbags was on for a while, the clutch pumps (both of them) died on my while on a trip, the two 'lamda' sensors had to be changed, the electronic gas (starter) was changed and if I remember well that's mainly it as far as mechanical and electronic problems are concerned. To conclude, the car is ONLY TROUBLE!! VW engine, but SEAT quality once again!!

Bought a brand new 51' plate Ibiza Cupra 20V Turbo. Great car to look at and to drive. Equipment levels were impressive. Nothing to touch it for the money. Unfortunately, I encountered problems shortly after purchasing. Various minor niggles for first six months then clutch trouble. When shifting from 2nd to 3rd, the clutch kept sticking down. The dealer replaced the slave cylinder twice, then the master cylinder. The problem persisted. The dealer finally ordered another full clutch assembly. While replacing, they discovered the car had been fitted with the wrong clutch and flywheel from new. Replaced both items. While sorting it out they also found another major problem. The "thrust washer?" had not been fitted properly from new, had fell down into part of the engine, damaged the crank and several other parts. Disaster! The damage was that extensive, the dealer had to order a brand engine. This was fitted within a few weeks.

Within two months I had sold the car. I had lost all confidence in the car and in SEAT. A shattered dream!

I bought a brand new seat ibiza 20 vt in feb 01.i have had it over 2 years and never had any probs, untill march 04.first I noticed 3rd gear was hard to get in, then tcs wouldn't stop the wheel spin.3rd gear then became impossible to engage at speed. about 4 days later the turbo kept over boosting and losing power this was due to a faulty air pressure sensor. in April 04 the actuator on the turbo stuck open the turbo over boosted and the air pressure switch on the air intake pipe didn't pick it up. the ecu then didn't cut the turbo or alter the fuel mix bang went the turbo. it has spent the last few months in and out a seat dealers in Birmingham. they told me this is not common and is exceptional case. they have changed the turbo, gearbox, something on the clutch, air pressure switches, recirculating valve, actuator, and the ecu. it is now for sale cause I can't be bothered and I've lost interest. I had less problems with my last car, a 12 year old Renault 5 gtt. garry crump Selly oak Birmingham.

I just have to write a quick disagreement with the above comments. I bought a 20vt Ibiza Cupra from new in Sep 2001. Have now covered 102,000 miles and has been nothing short of excellent. Minimum wear and tear. Only problem I've had with it is the well known clutch pedal issue. Resolved at 60,000 miles, no major problems since. Wouldn't hesitate to buy another SEAT.