Photo: Jakub "flyz1" Maciejewski, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Carlosseat, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Verdict
City car rated 5 stars by Euro NCAP in 2017, with a 355 L boot. The 2017-2018 examples were subject to a rear seatbelt recall, to be checked. The reported faults are mostly electronic, and the DSG7 gearbox calls for a careful test drive; sources on the reliability of this generation remain scarce.
- Reliability
- 4.5/5
- Indicative prices
- €8,300 – €17,800
- Monthly cost
- €401
- Euro NCAP
- 5/5
Which version to choose
Versions to favour: 1.0 TSI 95, 1.0 TSI 110.
1.0 MPI 80
Petrol · Manual · 80 hp · Crit'Air 1
Entry-level naturally aspirated three-cylinder from the 2021 facelift, 5-speed manual gearbox.
1.0 TSI 95
✓ RecommendedPetrol · Manual · 95 hp · 5.5 L/100 km · 125 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 1
Turbo three-cylinder, 5-speed manual gearbox; Carverif judges the 1.0 TSI sound if well documented.
Engine: Volkswagen 1.0 TSI (EA211)
Verdict on this engine: Excellent choice
1.0 TSI 110
✓ RecommendedPetrol · Manual · 110 hp · Crit'Air 1
Turbo three-cylinder, 6-speed manual gearbox, offered since the 2021 facelift.
Engine: Volkswagen 1.0 TSI (EA211)
Verdict on this engine: Excellent choice
1.0 TSI 110 DSG7
Petrol · Automatic · 110 hp · Crit'Air 1
Same engine with the DSG7 gearbox (about 1,400 euros more at the 2021 price): test it when cold (see faults).
Engine: Volkswagen 1.0 TSI (EA211)
Verdict on this engine: Excellent choice
1.5 TSI 150 DSG7
Petrol · Automatic · 150 hp · Crit'Air 1
French version: 1.5 TSI with 150 hp and 250 Nm with DSG7. Possible jerks to check during the test drive.
Engine: Volkswagen 1.5 TSI / eTSI (EA211 evo)
Verdict on this engine: Excellent choice
1.6 TDI 80
Diesel · Manual · 80 hp · Crit'Air 2
Diesel offered at launch (2018) with a 5-speed manual gearbox; absent from the facelifted range.
Engine: Volkswagen 1.6 TDI (EA288)
Verdict on this engine: Buy with care
1.6 TDI 95
Diesel · Manual · 95 hp · Crit'Air 2
Launch diesel (2018), more powerful; absent from the facelifted range.
Engine: Volkswagen 1.6 TDI (EA288)
Verdict on this engine: Buy with care
1.0 TGI 90 GNV
Petrol · Manual · 90 hp · Crit'Air 1
Compressed natural gas with a backup petrol tank, replacing the diesel at the facelift. Boot reduced to 262 L; consumption measured at around 3.4 kg/100 km (Motor1).
Market prices
€8,300 – €17,800
Indicative range: 2017 to 2026, yearly medians of 1150 online listings collected by iAutos (years with at least 3 listings).
Collected on 20 October 2026 from the sources below. Our own survey of listings, by year and mileage, will refine it.
Known faults
DSG7 gearbox jerks and failures
Severity 2/3 · CostlySpecialist sites report, on the DSG7 dry-clutch dual-clutch gearbox, jerks, a refusal to engage a gear or a limp mode, with first symptoms reported between 60,000 and 130,000 km. Carverif and a buying guide recommend a cold test drive and the gearbox's maintenance history; the guide states that an oil change every 60,000 km is essential. No frequency statistics were found.
- Versions
- 1.0 TSI 110 DSG7, 1.5 TSI 150 DSG7
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Electronics and multimedia screen bugs
Severity 1/3 · AnnoyingElectronics is the first cause of breakdowns cited by Belgian Ibiza owners (about 20% of declared faults, on a small sample). Owners describe a screen that stays on or freezes and then restarts, and the British press cites faults with infotainment, window regulators or boot locking. These are testimonies, some concerning the previous generation.
- Versions
- 1.0 MPI 80, 1.0 TSI 95, 1.0 TSI 110, 1.0 TSI 110 DSG7, 1.5 TSI 150 DSG7, 1.6 TDI 80, 1.6 TDI 95, 1.0 TGI 90 GNV
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Rear seatbelt can come loose (2018 recall)
Manufacturer recallDuring sudden manoeuvres, the housing of the rear centre seatbelt can press on the button of the neighbouring belt and release it. The 2018 recall concerned the 2017 and 2018 Ibiza, as well as the Polo and Arona. The correction described in the press is a shorter fixing, fitted free of charge at a dealership. In the meantime, it was recommended not to drive with five passengers.
Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).
- Versions
- 1.0 TSI 95, 1.6 TDI 80, 1.6 TDI 95
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Sources
- Volkswagen Polo, Seat Ibiza et Arona : alerte sur une ceinture qui peut se détacher seule — Caradisiac (new tab)
- Volkswagen rappelle des Polo et des modèles Seat pour un problème de ceinture de sécurité — L'Automobiliste (new tab)
- Volkswagen Polo, Seat Arona et Ibiza : ceinture de sécurité défectueuse — Que Choisir (new tab)
- Groupe Volkswagen : 410 000 voitures au rappel — Motor1 France (new tab)
Manufacturer recalls
See the official list on RappelConso (new tab) (French government recall site: category “Automobiles et moyens de déplacement”, search “Seat Ibiza”). A dealer for the brand can also check, using the vehicle identification number (VIN), that recalls have been carried out.
Real monthly cost
Fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation, excluding finance. Move the slider to match your mileage. How it is calculated
| Fuel or electricity | €135 |
|---|---|
| Insurance | €78 |
| Maintenance | €36 |
| Depreciation | €152 |
| Total per month | €401 |
⚠ Estimates to treat with caution
- Consumption taken from a published range (depends on trim and tyres).
- Maintenance: published servicing price plus an estimated allowance for tyres and brakes.
- Depreciation estimated at 12% of the median price a year, as no year-by-year valuation is usable.
Calculation details (12,000 km a year)
- Fuel (petrol)€135
1.0 TSI 95 version: combined consumption of 5.5 L/100 km, increased by 15% for real-world driving, at 2.14 €/L, for 1,000 km a month.
5.5 × 1.15 × 2.14 € × 10 = €135
Petrol price (SP95-E10): French national average on 7 October 2026.
- Insurance€78
Average monthly premium published for this model by insurance comparison sites (comprehensive cover when stated). Your premium depends on your profile.
- Maintenance€36
Servicing and wear parts (tyres, brakes) for 12,000 km a year, per month.
- Depreciation€152
Value lost in a year by a typical example, from the valuation gap between two years, per month.
Inspection checklist
Seat Ibiza V — inspection checklist
Things to check
- Have a Seat dealer check, using the serial number, that the rear seatbelt recall has been carried out (2017 and 2018 models).
- DSG7 gearbox: cold test drive, pull-aways and low-speed manoeuvres; ask for proof of gearbox oil changes.
- Test the multimedia screen, its standby mode, phone connection and the window regulators.
- Listen to the engine at idle: an abnormal rattle can indicate a timing chain problem (3 cylinders).
- Check the service book and invoices.
Questions to ask the seller
- Has the rear seatbelt recall been carried out? Do you have the repair order?
- Has the DSG7 gearbox been oil-changed, and at what mileages?
- Have screen or electronic faults been dealt with under warranty?
Test-drive tip: read the fault codes
A warning light that is off proves nothing: a fault may have been cleared just before the viewing. A Bluetooth OBD2 scanner, plugged in under the steering wheel and read on your phone, shows stored codes and whether all emissions readiness tests have run since the last reset.
Electric or hybrid equivalent
No direct electric or hybrid equivalent in our guides. Simulate combustion vs electric cost
Alternatives
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Volkswagen Polo
VI · since 2017
- Price
- €10,000 – €20,300
- Reliability
- 4.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Škoda Scala
I · since 2019
- Price
- €13,600 – €21,800
- Reliability
- 4.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel
Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Renault Clio
V · since 2019
- Price
- €10,994 – €14,990
- Reliability
- 4/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
Photo: MoCars, CC0
Peugeot 208
II · since 2019
- Price
- €8,900 – €18,000
- Reliability
- 3/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Toyota Yaris
IV · since 2020
- Price
- €15,900 – €22,000
- Reliability
- 5/5
- Fuel types
- Hybrid
Before you buy: check and equip
Check the history
Before paying, check the administrative status (lien, objection, declared claims) and the mileage recorded at the roadworthiness test.
Read fault codes
An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.
Parts and maintenance
Compare prices of parts for the Seat Ibiza V (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.
Insure the car
Insurance prices vary widely from one model to another: get a quote before signing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Euro NCAP rating of the Seat Ibiza 5?
5 stars in July 2017, with 95% for adult protection, 77% for children, 76% for pedestrians and 60% for safety assist (1.0 version tested).
What is the boot capacity of the Ibiza 5?
355 litres for the petrol and diesel versions, but 262 litres for the 1.0 TGI natural gas version.
Is there a diesel on the facelifted Ibiza?
No: at the 2021 facelift, natural gas (1.0 TGI with 90 hp) replaced the diesel. The 1.6 TDI is only found on earlier examples.
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