The
Seat Ibiza sales literature makes reference to Bluetooth availability on the “Sportrider” model. “Adjust the stereo and operate your mobile by voice command. Depending on the phone type. For details of
compatibility tested phones go to seat.co.uk” (Pg 36 – June 2011
Brochure). I have attached copies of the Bluetooth compatibility guides for the
SEAT Ibiza, including the May 2011 version (which I saw when I purchased the car) and the latest November 2011 compatibility
guide. These are also available to download from the SEAT UK website – seat.co.uk in the Service section.
I would like to make reference from the sales literature that these are compatibility tested phones. This directly correlates with the “tested software” column on the compatibility
guide. The green ticks would suggest that each function has been tested on the
Ibiza with each specific phone running the stated software. I have found Bluetooth calling works fine with the car; however “media streaming” does not as I have now learnt it has been disabled by default at the factory. This has been tested with a Nokia N97, which shows full functionality on both compatibility lists. During telephone correspondence, SEAT has stated that it has been disabled as they do not want customers having a “poor experience”. This is due to the media streaming having “poor sound quality” as it transmits in mono.
The compatibility guides make reference to a disclaimer that this function is not available on some SEAT models. However, this function has been disabled across
all Ibiza models. For this reason alone, I believe the documentation provided by SEAT is grossly misleading, because the document is titled “
Ibiza Bluetooth Compatibility” and there are several images of the
Ibiza through-out. In particular a huge image of an
Ibiza on the front page! For all intents and purposes, one would think this is definitely about an
Ibiza. As part of my research into this issue, I have looked at other Bluetooth compatibility guides provided by SEAT for other models. The Leon
guide is exactly the same as
Ibiza apart the titling and images. All phones, software and functionality is listed the same as the “
Ibiza”
guide. I am lead to believe that media streaming is available on some Leon models. However, this highlights the point of SEAT re-branding the same list, suggesting universal compatibility, when it is blatantly not the case. Even with the stated disclaimer, this would suggest that media streaming is available at least on some
Ibiza models, which as previously stated it not an available feature on
any Ibiza model. Therefore, it is felt this document is grossly misleading, which directly contravenes 1.1 of the Motor Code.
In correspondence with SEAT, while raising this issue, SEAT has stated “The Bluetooth compatibility list on our website refers to the functions available on each handset, not the vehicle”. This directly contradicts SEAT’s own sales literature which states the list is compatibility tested phones. After all, what use is a phone features list to a customer? I am sure most customers are aware their phones are able to make calls and include a phone book!
On SEAT’s internal Intranet, SEAT Direct, a bulletin was posted to all dealerships with the latest Bluetooth guides from November attached. This was posted in February 2012, after the purchase of the car in November 2011. However, the bulletin also stated that even though the compatibility guides state media streaming is universally available; it only available on certain models and included a supporting table of supported and unsupported SEAT models. The
SEAT Ibiza was listed as unavailable. This extra information has never been and is still not available on the SEAT customer website or supporting literature at seat.co.uk. Thus, potentially continue to mislead customers. Had this information been available at the time of purchase, this whole situation would have been avoided as I wouldn’t have purchased the car.
Currently after numerous dialogues, SEAT are continue to refuse to activate the feature on the car as it goes against the standard specification of the car. The standard specification of the car just simply lists this generically as the “Bluetooth Communications Pack”. As a resolution, I would ideally like this feature to be activated under the warranty, with no costs incurred to myself. SEAT are currently stating media streaming can be activated, but costs will be incurred, which is felt and I hope understandably to be unreasonable. I feel SEAT need to address the issue of their Bluetooth compatibility
guide, as it is misleading and suggests the
Ibiza has freely available functions which have been disabled. This has been misleading since at least May 2011 when the Bluetooth compatibility
guide was published and it has not been subsequently amended in later issues (November 2011).
SEAT’s response and resolution to this issue to date, has been bitterly disappointing. I have currently been recently dealing with SEAT UK on an executive level and have now exhausted the internal complaints procedure. A similar complaint has been raised to Trading Standards via Consumer Direct.
