AFTER only a few weeks on the road, the new SEAT Arosa has overtaken every small car rival to drive off with the title of Britain's cheapest car to operate. According to statistics due to be released this week, the 60mpg Spanish supermini has beaten the Ford Ka, Suzuki's Alto and the Fiat Cinquecento in the race for the lowest running costs.

CAP Monitor, the industry guide, has rated the one-litre family runabout model as costing just 13.3 pence per mile over three years and 60,000 miles. The Ka and the Alto each cost 13.8ppm and the little Fiat is fractionally more expensive at 13.9ppm. CAP claims depreciation on the Arosa will also be the lowest and predicts its second-hand value will be as much as 40% of its original price after four years.

The Arosa costs £6,995 on the road, including 12 months' road tax and a three-year unlimited mileage warranty. Maintenance costs start from £34.86 for the first 10,000-mile service, depending on labour rates.