Of all the driver aids you can get on a car, probably the most useful is power steering. On new cars it’s something we take for granted but go back a few years and it was an expensive option. Jump into the vast majority of five-year-old superminis and it will be the first thing that hits you. Even the simplest manoeuvre requires effort and reversing into a parking space can be hard work.

This is a dilemma for many drivers wanting to spend just a few grand on a town car. But there is a solution. A used Seat Arosa is the cheapest way to get a used supermini with power steering and, thanks to the ravages of depreciation, good used examples can be picked up for around £2,000.

Introduced to the UK in September 1997 the baby Seat was offered with a choice of just two engines, the smallest 1 litre unit producing 50bhp and the larger 1.4 litre 10bhp more.

You aren’t going to challenge a Mini Cooper S off the lights with that kind of power at your disposal but what it lacks in acceleration it makes up for in other ways. Economy is superb, with owners reporting mpg in the mid-forties even around town. Pick up one of the 1.7 litre diesels that joined the range in March 1999 and you could add another 10mpg to that.

The Arosa also manages to squeeze more space into its diminutive footprint that many competitors. The lack of rear doors may put some buyers off but the front doors are broad and the seats move easily to give good access. The rear seat feels a little small, and of course legroom isn’t quite limo standard, but it’s more than tolerable for short journeys, and inclusion of a split-fold rear seat is a welcome addition.

On the road the Arosa is fun to drive. The power steering is immediately obvious and makes manoeuvring a doddle, the standard five-speed manual gearbox is easy to use and the high roofline and large windows make visibility excellent. The Arosa also set new standards by offering the option of a four-speed automatic gearbox on the 1.4 litre model. Used examples of these are few and far between but if you see one I’d recommend you buy it.

The popularity of the Seat Arosa is reflected in its second-hand value. Used examples hit a price of about £2,000 then seem to stop depreciating. You could end up paying as much for a 1997 R with 30,000 miles as a 1999 T with 60,000 miles. The choice is yours but the used-car market knows this car has few real competitors for the money, so prices can be inflexible.

It’s still worth checking any car carefully. With most spending their lives in town, mileages may be low but the wear can be high. Clutch cables have a habit of fraying and ultimately breaking, so check the clutch is smooth and light. Brakes, particularly on auto models, can warp when exposed to classic stop/start town driving, so feel for brake shudder when pulling up.

With a three-year unlimited mileage warranty when new, most Arosas should have full main dealer service history, but as cars grow older most will go to cheaper non-franchised dealers for service work. Check that oil has been changed every 12 months or 10,000 miles, and on cars over five years old look for evidence of a renewed cam belt. It’s a £300 job so some owners avoid doing it, but the implications can be costly.

Vital statistics

Model Seat Arosa 1.0
Engine Four-cylinder, 998cc
Power 50bhp
Transmission Five-speed manual
Fuel 49.6mpg (combined)
Acceleration 0-60mph: 17.4sec
Top speed 94mph

Power steering The Arosa's trump card, standard on all models

Clutch Prone to sticking clutch cables that can eventually break - check that the clutch feels light

Engines 1 litre or 1.3 litre both capable of 45mpg plus

Facelift January 2001 saw heavily revised interiors and new bumpers, wings and headlights that made the Arosa look less cute

Wheels Check for signs of kerbing and possible misalignment that can cause excessive tyre wear

Servicing Due every 12 months or 10,000 miles

Insurance Group 2 for 1 litre and group 3 for 1.4 litre

Comfort pack Height-adjustable seats, upgraded trim and a parcel shelf adds £200 to used values

Rear seat Split/fold on all models adds to car's practical appeal

Stereo Radio-cassette with removable front panel as standard

Brakes Antilock an option on most early models

Spare wheel Spacesaver spare as standard

The one to buy

Seat Arosa 1.0 with five-speed manual gearbox, 1998 S-reg with 40,000 miles. Pay £2,225 at a dealer, or £1,500 privately


Or for similar money...

1997 P-reg Ford Ka 1.3i
1998 R-reg Peugeot 106 1.1 XN
2000 X-reg Fiat Seicento SX
1998 S-reg Daihatsu Charade 1.3 GLX
1999 V-reg Vauxhall Corsa 1.0 Envoy