Used SEAT Ibiza cars for sale or finance at 10.9% APR

Older versions were available with three or five doors, but the latest Ibiza is exclusively available with a five-door bodystyle. The latest model has a longer wheelbase (the gap between the front and rear wheels) than its predecessor, so there’s generous interior space for such a compact car and one of the biggest boots in its class.

Like a lot of its rivals, which include the Ford Fiesta and Vauxhall Corsa, the SEAT Ibiza is a little over four metres long. Parking the Ibiza should be a walk in the, er, park, especially on models with reversing sensors.

But the Ibiza packs a lot into its compact dimensions. As we just touched on, the sporty SEAT has plenty of space for four adults, and a comparatively big boot. At 355 litres, the Ibiza is only trumped by the latest Skoda Fabia and some versions of the Renault Clio, so it’s a really practical choice. There’s enough room for a big weekly shop or a pushchair.

The latest examples of the fifth-generation Ibiza are available with 1.0-litre petrol engines in 80hp, 95hp and 110hp states of tune. Earlier examples are also available with the 1.5-litre TSI Evo petrol engine, and two versions of the 1.6-litre turbodiesel. Most have a manual gearbox, but higher-spec models might just get the dual-clutch DSG gearbox.

Reliability surveys have returned mixed results for the Ibiza. There are no widespread reports of common problems, but owners aren't always blown away by the quality of some of the materials lurking in the corners of the cabin.

Nevertheless, SEAT is a mass-market brand and its models share from the vast VW-Group parts bin, so replacements should be readily available and reasonably affordable.

You can add an extended warranty to your car for extra peace of mind. This kicks in once the factory coverage runs out and protects from unexpected repair bills.

Overall, the Ibiza is a really impressive package. It's one of the most spacious options in this class with properly useable passenger and cargo space, and is both fun and easy to drive.

It could be a little more refined and comfortable on longer journeys, and you'll find the closely related Volkswagen Polo feels a little more upmarket inside, but the Ibiza's value and practicality make it a strong choice in this segment.

Yes, we think the Ibiza makes a good choice as a first car. It's practical and easy to drive, plus more recent models get automatic emergency braking as standard.

Insurance groups are low – group 4 or less – provided you avoid the TSI turbocharged engines and stick with the entry-level 1.0-litre version.

SEAT Ibiza cars can be cheap to insure as long as you choose the right version. This mainly means avoiding the turbocharged TSI and TDI engines, and sticking with the entry-level 1.0-litre petrol. Non-turbo versions mostly sit around insurance group 4, putting them among the cheapest cars in the UK to cover.

Insurance rates for TSI and TDI versions are still low compared to the average car, with most turbo models rated between insurance groups 8 and 12. Most drivers will find these versions fairly affordable to insure, but these slightly higher groupings might make it difficult to get coverage for a first-time driver.