From Auction to Driveway: How Kirsty Saved £3,000

How a Car Auction Buying Service Helped Kirsty Save Over £3,000

When Kirsty decided it was time to change her car, she was looking for a second vehicle — one that she, her husband, and their daughter, who had recently passed her driving test, could all enjoy. It needed to be stylish and well specified, but also easy to drive and confidence-inspiring for a newer driver.

What she didn’t want was the traditional dealership experience: inflated prices, limited choice, and very little transparency.

Instead, Kirsty got in touch with Car Auction Buying Service Ltd (CABS) to explore a smarter way to buy.

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The Brief: A MINI That Ticked Every Box

After an initial consultation, Kirsty talked through exactly what she was looking for — budget, mileage expectations, specification, and how the car would be used day to day by the family.

CABS then began sourcing suitable vehicles from trade-only auctions, including BCA, Aston Barclay and Manheim — the same places UK dealers buy their stock before adding a retail mark-up.

The car ultimately secured was a standout example:

MINI Cooper 1.5 136 Hatchback (2018)

• Petrol | Manual

• 58,688 miles

• Colour: Melting Silver

What really set this MINI apart was its excellent specification, including:

• CHILI Pack

• Excitement Pack

• Light Pack

• DAB Digital Radio

• LED Headlights & LED Fog Lights

• 17″ Alloy Wheels

• Half Leather Sports Seats

• Climate Control & Cruise Control

• Rain Sensor

• On-Board Computer

• Leather Multi-Function Sports Steering Wheel

This wasn’t a basic MINI — it was the kind of high-spec example that’s often hard to find sensibly priced on a dealer forecourt.

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Persistence Pays Off at Auction

MINIs are always popular at auction, and securing the right one often takes patience.

Several attempts were made before this particular car appeared — reviewing inspection reports, analysing CAP values, and walking away when the numbers didn’t quite stack up.

When the right MINI came up, CABS reviewed the full report with Kirsty and agreed a clear bidding strategy in advance.

Bidding took place live, with no proxy bids, no guesswork, and no emotional overspending.

The hammer eventually fell at £6,500.

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From Hammer to Home

Once the auction was won, CABS handled everything that followed:

• Auction payment guidance

• Vehicle release

• Long-distance delivery via a trusted logistics partner

The MINI travelled over 330 miles, with a journey time of more than 5.5 hours, and arrived safely just before Christmas — turning it into a complete surprise for Kirsty’s daughter.

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How the Numbers Stack Up

Here’s how the purchase compares to buying from a dealer:

• Typical retail value: £11,000 – £11,500

• High-spec retail equivalent: closer to £12,000

Costs paid:

• Hammer price: £6,500

• Auction fees: ~£540

• CABS fee: £395

• Delivery (330+ miles): £420

✅ Total paid: ~£7,855

💰 Saving vs retail: £3,000–£4,000+

A like-for-like vehicle, with the same age, mileage, and specification — bought safely and professionally, without the dealer middleman.

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Customer Feedback

After taking delivery, Kirsty’s husband David left this 5-star review:

“Simon was awesome. Superb service, proactive with attention to detail. Couldn’t have asked for more…”

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The CABS Difference

CABS gives private buyers access to the same trade-only auctions used by dealers nationwide.

Our customers benefit from:

• Unlimited bids until successful

• Transparent inspection reports and CAP valuations

• Guidance on grading and market value

• Trusted nationwide delivery

• Significant savings versus retail prices

By combining trade access with expert support, CABS removes the uncertainty from auction buying — and turns it into a secure, rewarding experience.

Ready to Buy Smarter?