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Most common fit — SEAT Ibiza: MANN-FILTER CUK 26 021 — particle or activated carbon, 252 x 222 x 32 mm. Search on Amazon
Fitment varies by engine and build date — the full specification, the variants covered and our confidence in the data are set out below.
Cabin Filter Specifications
Cabin filter specification for the SEAT Ibiza, taken from MANN-FILTER’s own catalogue and cross-checked against the TecDoc-derived application data.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Filter type | Particle (CU) or activated carbon (CUK) |
| MANN-FILTER reference | CU 26 021 / CUK 26 021 / FP 26 021 |
| Number of filters needed | 1 |
| Dimensions | 252 x 222 x 32 mm |
| Bosch equivalent | 1 987 435 596 carbon / 1 987 435 135 particle / 0 986 628 566 |
| Mahle equivalent | LAK 816 / LA 816/3 / LAO 816 |
| Change interval | Follow the vehicle manufacturer’s service schedule — see below |
Recommended Cabin Filters for SEAT Ibiza
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Coverage and variants: None — 26 variants 05/17 onward
Note: The older 6J/6P Ibiza uses CUK 26 010 (254 x 224 x 36) — do not conflate.
Confidence in this data: High
Checked against: MANN-FILTER’s own catalogue pages and the TecDoc-derived application data. A reference that returns a 404 on MANN’s catalogue does not exist, and we do not publish it.
We deliberately do not print an OE part number here. MANN publishes OE cross-references at part level, not per vehicle, so a filter shared by six cars carries all six manufacturers’ numbers — quoting one of them as “the OE number for this car” would be guesswork. Check yours in the handbook or a dealer parts catalogue.
Particle or Activated Carbon?
MANN-FILTER uses a prefix to tell you what a cabin filter actually does. CU is a plain particle filter: it catches dust, pollen and soot. CUK adds an activated-carbon layer, which also absorbs odours and a proportion of gaseous pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide and ozone. FP (FreciousPlus) adds a biofunctional layer aimed at mould, bacteria and allergens on top of the carbon.
For the SEAT Ibiza, MANN publishes both: the particle CU version and the activated-carbon CUK version, plus the FreciousPlus FP version. They are the same size and fit the same housing, so the choice is about what you want filtered rather than about fitment. Carbon filters cost a little more and are the better choice in heavy traffic.
Recommended Cabin Filters
MANN-filter CUK 26 021
How to Change the Cabin Filter
On most cars this is a ten-minute job needing no tools, or a screwdriver at most.
- Find the housing. On the SEAT Ibiza the filter sits usually behind or beneath the glovebox, or below the centre console, depending on the model. Empty the glovebox first if that is where you are working.
- Release the housing. Most are held by clips or a couple of screws; the glovebox itself often has to be dropped by squeezing its side stops inward.
- Note the airflow arrow printed on the edge of the old filter before you pull it out, and photograph how it sits. Fitting a filter the wrong way round halves its useful life.
- Fit the new element with the arrow pointing the same way, then refit the cover and check it clicks home.
- Run the blower on full for a minute with recirculation off to clear anything disturbed during the change.
When to Change It
There is no single correct interval and we will not invent one. Manufacturers publish their own figure in the service schedule, and that schedule — not a generic number — is what your car is designed around. Check the handbook or service book for the figure that applies to yours.
Change it sooner than the schedule if you notice any of these:
- Weak airflow from the vents even at full fan speed
- A musty or stale smell when the blower first comes on
- The windscreen taking longer than it used to to demist
- Visible leaf litter or grit when you drop the housing
- Hay fever symptoms in the car that were not there last year
Short urban journeys, dusty roads and parking under trees all shorten a filter’s useful life well below the book figure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What cabin filter does a SEAT Ibiza use?
The SEAT Ibiza takes MANN-filter CU 26 021 / CUK 26 021 / FP 26 021. Dimensions are 252 x 222 x 32 mm.
How many cabin filters does a SEAT Ibiza need?
One. The SEAT Ibiza takes a single cabin filter element.
Can I get an activated-carbon cabin filter for a SEAT Ibiza?
Yes. MANN publishes both a particle (CU) and an activated-carbon (CUK) version at the same reference number and the same dimensions, so both fit the same housing.
How often should I change the cabin filter on a SEAT Ibiza?
Follow the service schedule in your handbook. We do not publish a generic mileage or time figure here because manufacturers set their own, and an invented number is worse than none. Change it sooner if airflow drops, the vents smell musty, or the screen is slow to demist.
Can I change the cabin filter on a SEAT Ibiza myself?
Usually yes. The filter sits behind or beneath the glovebox, or below the centre console, depending on the model, and on most cars it is a ten-minute job with no tools or a screwdriver at most. Note the airflow arrow on the old element before you remove it.
How we check fitment for this guide
We cross-reference fitment figures against manufacturer specifications and OE-supplier catalogue data where available, and matched to the standard codes that actually govern fit — battery type/group sizes, wiper lengths and fitting types, bulb fitment codes, tyre size markings, and oil specifications. We work by make, model, year, engine, and build date, because a single model can take different parts across its life. Where the right part depends on your exact vehicle, we tell you to confirm by registration or VIN. More on our method →