Seat Ibiza review: Seat adds to the Ibiza’s value

Seat’s Martorell assembly plant in Barcelona, Spain, celebrated the production of the five millionth Ibiza at the beginning of October.

Since its launch in 1984, the Seat Ibiza has sold five million units, making it the best-selling and most exported Spanish passenger car. Some 70% (about 3.5m) have been sold outside Spain, in the more than 75 countries where the company has a presence. Italy, France, Germany, the UK, Portugal and Mexico have proved to be the most important markets.

The Ibiza played a part in Seat UK’s record September, with 3,971 Ibizas contributing to its 15,269 registrations for the plate-change month.

Pre-registration by the major groups representing Seat ensures the bargain-hunter has some options too. A search on Auto Trader in early November returned 195 Ibizas with fewer than 100 miles on the clock, for as little as £8,090 for a 64-plate Toca model.

A key weapon in Seat UK’s armoury is the Ibiza Toca, a special edition with sat-nav, Bluetooth and alloys that is currently being marketed as available from £9,995, with a customer saving of £2,875. That pitches it against value-focused superminis, such as a high-specification MG3 or Fiat Punto. On a PCP, buyers can be drawn in by a £109 representative monthly payment if their trade-in is worth £2,750 or more.

For Q4, that model has received reinforcements in the guise of an I-Tech derivative, on offer for most Seat models including the Ibiza in SC, five-door and ST variants.

It fits between the Toca and the 30 Years Special Edition that Seat launched earlier this year, loaded with climate control, Alcantara trim, sat-nav, Bluetooth, black 17in alloys, bi-xenon headlamps and a reversing camera.

With prices starting from £13,790, the I-Tech suits more modest budgets. It is based on the SE trim Ibiza and gains 16in alloys with a titanium finish, B-pillar I-Tech badges, man-made leather upholstery with embossed I-Tech logos, branded floor mats and door sill plates.

As Seat dealers work hard to find customers for all these cars, they are at least assured that Seat UK is piling on the added value.