Outside:
Check for accident damage,
Panel gaps,
Rust (leading edge of roof, wings, rear quarters, wheel arches, around the window on the boot)
Mismatch paint,
Expect stone chips on a 7/8/9/10 year old car, if there aren't any, why not?
Cupras come with twin reflector headlights with black innards. A tell tale sign a
cupra has been in an accident is if these have been replaced with chrome twin reflectors from a
lower spec car.
As standard the cars come with mismatched mirrors, with the drivers side being large and the passenger tiny. The bases are
Ibiza specific, so if you want to make them match you have to buy either a passengers or drivers mirror (depending on the look you wish to go for) from a LHD car from europe. Search '
Ibiza aussenspiegel' on ebay.de
Engine bay:
Cupras are 156bhp 1.8t's in standard trim, all engine codes begin with A as far as I know, the code is under the plastic cover, near the cambelt at the top. These cars run a SMIC from the factory, its tiny and poo, a lot have had FMIC's installed. Check they have not removed the aircon in the process. They also run a plastic recirc valve, these split the internal rubber diaphragm easily, and are also commonly replaced, the best standard replacement is a forge 007p, as a full dump valve confuses the management. Boost hoses pop off too and may also be changed. The air intake is in a woeful position behind the battery and alot of people run open filters which can cause heat sink, there isn't much you can do about this without putting the battery in the boot. When you turn the engine off you should be able to hear the secondary water pump, under the scuttle panel.
Chassis:
Mk3 Ibizas are mk2 golf front end and polo 6n2 back end, as a result the rear beam is narrow compared to the front end and a lot of people run spacers. Suspension is
Ibiza specific. These cars run mk2 golf G60 brakes, which are shocking, decent disks and pads
help a bit, but really you need bigger ones for anything over stage one.
Cupra R Brembos are a common swap.
Interior:
Cupras have half leather seats, watch for bolster wear, and stained centres, these seats also have side impact airbags. The air-vents are fixed into the dash and are not changeable except for removing alot of other stuff, so watch for broken ones. The centre console uses a communal screen for A/C and stereo, these are prone to failing and are expensive to replace, so make sure it ALL works and your A/C is icy cold. Standard audio is a radio/tape/6cd changer (in the boot) some owners fit another headunit under the steering wheel. If there are signs that this is the case, but the headunit is no longer there, check the original centre unit a few times when seeing the car, dodgy wiring might show up on a test drive after being shaken about. Make sure your elec windows and mirrors are fully functioning.
If it has a BOV that will need changing.
