1ST CLASS CARS (SOUTH EAST) LIMITED
💤Zombieactive
03859900 · ltd · incorporated 1999-10-15
Investment thesis
Zombie company — trading but stalled; unlikely mover.
Why interesting: Quiet, steady; could be a succession or carve-out candidate with the right conversation.
Why risky: No growth signal; thin margin for error on price.
Why now
Window steady · low confidence
Steady and stalled — no momentum either way. Needs an approach trigger.
What changed my view
Last 30 days
No material changes in the last 30 days.
Last 90 days
No snapshot from 90 days ago — start tracking from today.
Last 180 days
No snapshot from 180 days ago — start tracking from today.
🔒Estimated value
—
Upgrade to see
Turnover
—
year to May 2024
Net worth
£27.4k
book net assets
Opportunity
78/100
Strong
What this business does
Primary activity: SIC 49320
Sector: Transportation & storage
Investor take
PursueActive trading company with a 67-year-old founder — textbook succession opportunity.
Opportunity 78/100 (strong), bankability 80/100. Strong seller-intent signal (68/100, director aged 67). Share purchase looks the cleaner deal structure. Biggest value-creation lever: Discharge stale live charges. 1 live charge(s) created 15+ years ago — likely paid but undischarged. Clean register. Most likely exit: share sale to pe / searcher (73/100).
🏦
Refinance opportunity
1 live charge · oldest 21.4y
45/100
under pressure
Refinance would be pressure-driven, not opportunity-driven. Expect tighter margins and covenant scrutiny.
- · Oldest live charge is 21.4 years old — likely at or near maturity.
- · Single lender — cleanest path to refinance.
- · Distress signals active — lender appetite narrows.
Data confidence
Overall: medium (73/100)Adequate coverage. AI outputs are reliable for the sections scored high; verify the rest in diligence.
Company profile
address, 1 SIC codes, incorporation date
100
Financials
1 year of iXBRL accounts extracted (no YoY comparison) + narrative notes parsed
50
Lenders & charges
1 charges (1/1 with lender, 1/1 with type)
90
Directors & officers
19 officers (1 active, 19 linked, 17 with DOB)
88
Ownership & PSC
1 active PSC(s) of 8 total, 8 with control declared
90
Director network
4 connected companies via shared directors
57
Filing history
133 filings on record
85
Gazette notices
No matching gazette notices (standard for active companies)
60
Opportunity Score
78/100Strong
PassWatchWorth a lookStrongExceptional
Solid opportunity signal. Worth a dedicated memo and management meeting.
Business quality
70
Active, clean filings, stable charge profile.
Acquirability
70
Strong succession / seller-readiness signals.
Risk profile
82
Few red flags.
Signal strength
100
Good data coverage for analysis.
Signals from accounts
Derived from iXBRL accounts · accounting standard not declaredPositive net assets
Net assets £27,356
Key financials
1 year extracted from filed iXBRL accountsCash
—
Net Worth
£27k
Current Assets
£488k
Current Liabilities
—
Financials
Extracted from Companies House accounts · accounting standard unknown| Metric | 2024-05-31 |
|---|---|
| Total assets | £57.2k |
| Current assets | £488.5k |
| Net assets | £27.4k |
Amounts extracted automatically from iXBRL. Fields left blank were not reported or not mapped. Values in GBP unless stated.
Recent activity
Last 30 days
0
filings
Last 90 days
1
filing
- • 1 confirmation-statement
Last 180 days
1
filing
- • 1 confirmation-statement
Counts from Companies House filing history.
Corporate timeline (60 events)Click to expand
- 2025-10-17📄accounts-with-accounts-type-unaudited-abridgedaccounts · AA
- 2025-04-25📄accounts-with-accounts-type-micro-entityaccounts · AA
- 2025-04-24📄change-account-reference-date-company-previous-shortenedaccounts · AA01
- 2025-04-17📄cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC07
- 2025-04-17📄notification-of-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC01
- 2025-03-24📄notification-of-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC01
- 2025-03-24📄cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC07
- 2025-03-21➖HAWLEY, Martin William resigneddirector
- 2025-03-21➖RAEBURN, Ian John resigneddirector
- 2025-03-21➖ROBINSON, Michael Kenneth resigneddirector
- 2025-03-21📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2025-03-21📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2025-03-21📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2025-03-21📄change-person-director-company-with-change-dateofficers · CH01
- 2025-01-30➕ROBINSON, Michael Kenneth appointeddirector
- 2025-01-30📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2025-01-16➖ROBINSON, Michael Kenneth resigneddirector
- 2025-01-16📍change-registered-office-address-company-with-date-old-address-new-addressaddress · AD01
- 2025-01-16📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2024-11-01➖D P ACCOUNTING LIMITED resignedcorporate-secretary
- 2024-11-01📄termination-secretary-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM02
- 2024-10-31📄accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-fullaccounts · AA
- 2024-08-16📍change-registered-office-address-company-with-date-old-address-new-addressaddress · AD01
- 2024-07-11📄notification-of-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC02
- 2023-11-29➕SANDERS, Jeremy David appointeddirector
- 2023-11-29➕HAWLEY, Martin William appointeddirector
- 2023-11-29➕RAEBURN, Ian John appointeddirector
- 2023-11-29📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2023-11-29📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2023-11-29📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2023-07-12➕HAWLEY, Martin William appointeddirector
- 2023-07-12➖HAWLEY, Martin William resigneddirector
- 2023-07-12➕RAEBURN, Ian John appointeddirector
- 2023-07-12➖RAEBURN, Ian John resigneddirector
- 2022-06-13➕D P ACCOUNTING LIMITED appointedcorporate-secretary
- 2022-06-13➖FIRST INSTANCE SECRETARIAT LIMITED resignedcorporate-secretary
- 2022-02-28➖ALCOCK, David John resigneddirector
- 2019-01-18➖ALCOCK, James Edward resigneddirector
- 2019-01-18➖ALCOCK, Paul Edward resigneddirector
- 2019-01-17➕ALCOCK, David John appointeddirector
- 2018-10-23➕ROBINSON, Michael Kenneth appointeddirector
- 2018-01-29➕ALCOCK, James Edward appointeddirector
- 2017-09-27➖READ, Gary Albert resigneddirector
- 2017-04-05➕READ, Gary Albert appointeddirector
- 2016-01-10➖ALCOCK, David John resigneddirector
- 2015-12-01➕ALCOCK, David John appointeddirector
- 2009-10-01➖ALCOCK, David John resigneddirector
- 2008-12-16➕ALCOCK, David John appointeddirector
- 2008-12-16➕ALCOCK, Paul Edward appointeddirector
- 2008-12-16➖SANDERS, Jeremy David resigneddirector
Showing most recent 50 of 60 events
Owner dependency
90/100
Critical — business is the founderThe business appears inseparable from the founder. Acquisition without a serious earn-out or meaningful transition period would likely destroy value.
FACTORS
- +Sole director: Only one active director — all governance concentrated on one person.
- +Founder age: Director aged approximately 67 — succession pressure is live.
Succession & seller-readiness
65/100
Strong succession signalMultiple signals suggest succession is on the horizon. Candidate for proactive outreach.
SIGNALS
- primaryFounder aged 63+: Senior director is approximately 67. Approaching typical UK retirement age — succession thinking likely.
- primarySole active director: Only one director in control. No visible successor — buyers solve the succession problem.
Red flags
1 lowMultiple registered office changes
lowMultiple address changes in a short period can indicate operational instability or admin disorder.
Shareholders & ownership
1 active beneficial owner| Name | Shares | Voting rights | Nature of control | Notified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Mr Marcus Anthony Mccabe Individual · British · DOB 05/1972 · age 54 | 25–50% | 25–50% | board control25-50% shares · 25-50% voting · board control | 05/04/2025 |
7 historic (ceased) PSCs
- Mr Jeremy David Sandersceased 05/04/2025· significant influence
- Black Diamond Group Limitedceased 21/03/2025· 25-50% shares · 25-50% voting
- Mr David John Alcockceased 15/03/2023· 25-50% shares · 25-50% voting · board control
- Mr Michael Kenneth Robinsonceased 28/04/2023· significant influence
- Mr Gary Albert Readceased 18/01/2019· 25-50% shares · 25-50% voting · board control
- Mr Paul Edward Alcockceased 18/01/2019· significant influence
- Mr Gary Albert Readceased 27/09/2017· 25-50% shares · 25-50% voting
From Companies House Persons with Significant Control filings. Share ranges are banded per the public PSC regime.
🔒Co-director network graph
Radial SVG graph showing every company connected via shared directors, colour-coded by status.
Available from the Pro tier upwards.
See pricing →Similar companies
Active · Transport & logistics · CR postcode area| Company | Est. value | Turnover | Net worth | Staff | Age | Opp | Director |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A QUICK LOGISTICS LTD→ 14132446 · est 2022 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 3y | — | — |
| AAIM EVENT AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT LIMITED→ 11067929 · est 2017 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 8y | — | — |
| ADMIRAL MINICABS LTD→ 13228608 · est 2021 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 5y | — | — |
| AI TRAFFIC SURVEYS LIMITED→ 16049086 · est 2024 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 1y | — | — |
| AL GLOBAL LTD→ 14041899 · est 2022 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 4y | — | — |
| ALLENBY COACH HIRE LIMITED→ 05540066 · est 2005 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 20y | — | — |
| AMG CARRIER LTD→ 12992196 · est 2020 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 5y | — | — |
| ANGMIC LIMITED→ 10733840 · est 2017 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 8y | — | — |
| ANYTHINGOESIMPORTANT&EXPORT LIMITED→ 16422657 · est 2025 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| AOA MARINE LIMITED→ 15103855 · est 2023 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 2y | — | — |
| APETRI DC TRANSPORT LIMITED→ 17049927 · est 2026 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| APP TOURS & TRANSPORT LTD→ 16698087 · est 2025 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Peers ranked by estimated value, then turnover, then opportunity score.See all →
🔒Tailored diligence questions
8 specific questions generated from this company's actual signals — liquidity, leverage, director age, charge count, red flags, age-of-company.
Available from the Pro tier upwards.
See pricing →🔒Advanced scoring suite
Exit-route ranking, improvement thesis, quiet-distress detector, covenant-pressure proxy, extraction monitor, approaching triggers, ownership drift, local cluster, value trap, debt capacity, archetype classification — 48+ scoring modules.
Available from the Pro tier upwards.
See pricing →Company details
Statusactive
Typeltd
Incorporated1999-10-15
Jurisdictionengland-wales
Primary SIC49320 — SIC 49320
Registered office
3 Godstone Road
Purley
CR8 2DH
England
Filing status
Accounts
Next due: 2027-02-28
Last made up to: 2025-05-31
Confirmation statement
Next due: 2027-05-01
Last: 2026-04-17
Officers (1 active · 18 resigned)
SANDERS, Jeremy David→
Activedirector · ~67y · appointed 2023-11-29
View their other companies + combined net worth →
D P ACCOUNTING LIMITED→
Resignedcorporate-secretary · appointed 2022-06-13 · resigned 2024-11-01
FIRST INSTANCE SECRETARIAT LIMITED→
Resignedcorporate-secretary · appointed 1999-10-15 · resigned 2022-06-13
ALCOCK, David John→
Resigneddirector · ~74y · appointed 2019-01-17 · resigned 2022-02-28
ALCOCK, David John→
Resigneddirector · ~74y · appointed 2015-12-01 · resigned 2016-01-10
ALCOCK, David John→
Resigneddirector · ~74y · appointed 2008-12-16 · resigned 2009-10-01
ALCOCK, David John→
Resigneddirector · ~74y · appointed 2002-08-30 · resigned 2008-12-01
ALCOCK, David John→
Resigneddirector · ~74y · appointed 1999-10-15 · resigned 1999-10-15
ALCOCK, James Edward→
Resigneddirector · ~34y · appointed 2018-01-29 · resigned 2019-01-18
ALCOCK, Paul Edward→
Resigneddirector · ~73y · appointed 2008-12-16 · resigned 2019-01-18
HAWLEY, Martin William→
Resigneddirector · ~63y · appointed 2023-11-29 · resigned 2025-03-21
HAWLEY, Martin William→
Resigneddirector · ~63y · appointed 2023-07-12 · resigned 2023-07-12
RAEBURN, Ian John→
Resigneddirector · ~67y · appointed 2023-11-29 · resigned 2025-03-21
RAEBURN, Ian John→
Resigneddirector · ~67y · appointed 2023-07-12 · resigned 2023-07-12
READ, Gary Albert→
Resigneddirector · ~62y · appointed 2017-04-05 · resigned 2017-09-27
ROBINSON, Michael Kenneth→
Resigneddirector · ~66y · appointed 2025-01-30 · resigned 2025-03-21
ROBINSON, Michael Kenneth→
Resigneddirector · ~66y · appointed 2018-10-23 · resigned 2025-01-16
SANDERS, Jeremy David→
Resigneddirector · ~67y · appointed 2008-12-01 · resigned 2008-12-16
TUNE, John Vincent→
Resigneddirector · ~85y · appointed 1999-10-15 · resigned 2003-06-01
Click a director name to see their full track record across all companies.
Mortgages & charges
1
Total charges
1
Outstanding
1
Active lenders
Status:Lender:1 of 1 shown
| Type | Properties | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| outstanding | HSBC Hsbc Bank PLC | Debenture | 1 property | 17/02/2005 | — |
Click column headers to sort. Use filters above to narrow by status and lender.
Recent filings (133 total)
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2026-04-24
accounts-with-accounts-type-unaudited-abridged
accounts · AA
2025-10-17
accounts-with-accounts-type-micro-entity
accounts · AA
2025-04-25
change-account-reference-date-company-previous-shortened
accounts · AA01
2025-04-24
cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-control
persons-with-significant-control · PSC07
2025-04-17
notification-of-a-person-with-significant-control
persons-with-significant-control · PSC01
2025-04-17
confirmation-statement-with-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2025-04-17
notification-of-a-person-with-significant-control
persons-with-significant-control · PSC01
2025-03-24
cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-control
persons-with-significant-control · PSC07
2025-03-24
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2025-03-21
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2025-03-21
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2025-03-21
change-person-director-company-with-change-date
officers · CH01
2025-03-21
appoint-person-director-company-with-name-date
officers · AP01
2025-01-30
change-registered-office-address-company-with-date-old-address-new-address
address · AD01
2025-01-16