OVER the years, I have had to put children into child seats in the back of cars on countless occasions and, as we all know, if the child is not co-operative it can be the devil's own job.

Imagine then, if you will, trying to get them into the back of a three door car. A recipe for an exceedingly bad back at the least and for loss of sanity and a bad back at worst.

If you have kids, never buy a three door car of any description. It will not work.

I was reminded of this adage a couple of weeks ago when I had to pick up my five-year-old granddaughter in a three door SEAT Mii city car.

She loves going in my cars and I transfer her seat as and when required, but by the time I had her ensconced the other day, I needed a trip to the chiropractor and a lie down in a darkened room.

The Mii is SEAT's take on the VW up! Of course and is made in the same factory, together with the Skoda Citigo.

There are 60 and 75bhp versions of the same three cylinder one litre petrol engine available and I drove the higher rated one in FR Line trim.

The little engine suits the car to a T and is hugely quiet and refined right through its rev range.

Drive is through a five-speed slick changing gearbox, with a light clutch and plenty of room for the left foot.

The engine is so quiet and smooth that I found I could miss the fact I was still in fourthgear at times.

There's not much acceleration in fifthbut second, third and fourth are fine, with care it's even possible to overtake on two lane roads.

It will drop right down to tickover even in fifthand pull away without a murmer, it will also cruise happily at motorway speeds.

The handling is safe and sure, with good power steering giving plenty of feel and the road holding and balance is very good, giving excellent grip even when pressed very hard.

The turning circle is great and it is very easy to park thanks to its short length and almost vertical rear.

Economy of 48mpg is quite easily possible on a cross country run and on a gentle saunter of about 30 miles, I managed to get it up to 53.5mpg. Of course, this is nowhere near the government figurebut then they never are, are they?

The boot is a decent size - albeit with a low floor - and there's enough space inside for four adults.