Used SEAT Ibiza ST review and buying guide (2010 to present): which one to buy and what to check

Which used SEAT Ibiza ST should you buy?

Go for a manual, and don't buy the FR with the 1.4 TSI Twincharger. That engine's known for burning oil and failing outright on 2009 to 2015 cars. The 7-speed DSG automatic is the other big worry: its clutches and control unit are known to give out between 40,000 and 80,000 miles, bringing judder and lost drive.

Of the petrols, the 1.2 TSI 105 needs the most care. Cars from 2009 to 2014 are known for timing chain stretch, and several reports have it drinking oil early in its life. Everything here comes from estates built between 2010 and 2017; nothing on record covers newer ones, so don't assume they're better or worse.

That leaves a manual 1.6 TDI as the lesser risk rather than a proven one. No known fault names it, though it's been recalled like other diesels from these years, and one owner's particulate filter light kept coming back. For petrol, a manual 1.2 TSI is the alternative, but only with receipts for timing chain work and no rattle from a cold start.

Which Ibiza ST engines and gearboxes are the safe choices?

Pick a manual over the DQ200 7-speed DSG. Behind the 1.2 TSI, 1.4 TSI and 1.6 TDI alike, it's known for the mechatronic unit failing and the dry clutches wearing early, at 40,000 to 80,000 miles. Its software can also hold back the signal that you've released the brake, so the engine can briefly cut out as you pull into a junction.

Don't buy the FR with the 1.4 TSI Twincharger. It's supercharged as well as turbocharged, and it's known for heavy oil use and outright engine failure anywhere from 7,000 to 44,000 miles. One owner's year-old FR DSG had its engine replaced by the dealer at 6,800 miles because it was getting through so much oil.

The 1.2 TSI 105 isn't a flat no, but it needs proof of care. On 2009 to 2014 cars the timing chain's known to stretch and its tensioner to fail between 27,000 and 50,000 miles, which can let the timing jump and damage the valves. It's also been reported using oil heavily early on, so one without timing chain receipts is a gamble.

Of the diesels, the 1.6 TDI has no engine fault on record, though one owner's particulate filter light kept returning unless the car got regular 20 mile runs, so it suits longer trips better than short hops. The three-cylinder 1.2 TDI, Ecomotive included, has a known fault: its EGR valve clogs with carbon at around three years and 20,000 miles, and since it shares a housing with a heat exchanger, it can't be replaced alone.

What should you check when viewing a used Ibiza ST?

Pull the dipstick on any TSI petrol and ask how much oil it's needed between services. One owner's 2010 1.2 TSI DSG started using oil after its second service and needed 2 litres by 12,000 miles. SEAT called 0.5 litres per 1,000 miles normal, and that car used double. Another owner's 2011 1.2 TSI was getting through 1 litre every 1,000 miles by 36,000 miles.

Insist on starting it from cold. A metallic rattle for 2 to 3 seconds on a 1.2 TSI points to a stretched timing chain, especially with an engine management light or rough running. On a Twincharger, listen for tinkling or rattling and feel for a misfire or lost power. Ask for receipts showing any timing chain or tensioner work, and walk past a 1.2 TSI that rattles with none.

On a DSG car, pull away gently in first and second several times. Juddering, missing gears or flashing PRNDS or spanner lights mean the clutches or mechatronic unit are on their way out, so leave that car alone. On one that drives cleanly but is past 40,000 miles, ask for receipts for any clutch or mechatronic work. On a 1.2 TDI, an engine light, lost power or hesitant running at low revs points to the EGR valve.

Brake firmly from speed and feel for judder, since one owner's discs warped by 11,000 miles, and try dropping the rear seats, which are awkward to fold. Ask for proof the recall work was done: diesels built 2010 to 2014 (the 1.2 TDI above all) for a fuel filter that could crack and leak, 2011 stop/start diesels for a starter motor that could stay engaged and overheat, and 2010 and 2011 cars for a bonnet release lever that could let the bonnet fly open on the move.

Paste the advert into the free check and it runs these against the listing, the MOT history and the DVLA record before you travel.

What does a used SEAT Ibiza ST cost to run?

What do Ibiza ST owners like about them?

It's easy to drive. The controls are light, so there isn't much effort in town traffic or when you're parking, and the ride's good, so it's comfortable on everyday roads. There's nothing about it that's hard work to live with, which is what you want from a car you'll use every day.

The boot's the reason to have the estate: it's big and sits low, so there's enough room for what a family takes on a day out. Getting a dog in and out is easy too, because the floor isn't far off the ground and there's no high jump for it to make.

• The Ibiza ST is a station wagon with a low rear sill, 430 litres of luggage capacity, and split rear seats.
• The car is easy to drive due to light controls and offers good ride quality, enhancing the driving experience.
• From 2015, all models include a touchscreen infotainment system and DAB radio as standard equipment.
• The boot features a low loading lip and generous space, making it suitable for family outings.
• The car provides convenient and easy access, which is particularly useful for transporting dogs.