1ST CHOICE ACCIDENT REPAIR CENTRE LIMITED
🌳Matureactive
04363836 · ltd · incorporated 2002-01-30
Investment thesis
Established operating company — standard diligence applies, no dominant angle.
Why interesting: Live, filing, normal profile.
Why risky: No standout signals in either direction.
🔒Estimated value
—
Upgrade to see
Turnover
—
year to Feb 2025
Net worth
£2.38M
book net assets
Opportunity
70/100
Strong
What this business does
Primary activity: SIC 45200
Sector: Wholesale & retail
Investor take
PursueActive trading company with a 69-year-old founder — textbook succession opportunity.
Opportunity 70/100 (strong), bankability 57/100. Strong seller-intent signal (63/100, director aged 69). Biggest value-creation lever: Consolidate lender relationships. 9 distinct lenders creates friction — refinance into single-lender structure for cleaner diligence. Most likely exit: share sale to pe / searcher (65/100).
🏦
Refinance opportunity
12 live charges · 9 lenders · oldest 22.5y
35/100
too messy
Refinance path is blocked by complexity. Rethink structure or expect bespoke, expensive terms.
- · Oldest live charge is 22.5 years old — likely at or near maturity.
- · 9 lenders named — inter-creditor friction likely.
- · Legal-friction score 40/100 — workable, but lender will want more DD.
Data confidence
Overall: high (82/100)Strong data coverage across all sections. AI outputs should be trusted with minimal caveats.
Company profile
address, 1 SIC codes, incorporation date
100
Financials
2 years of iXBRL accounts extracted (YoY deltas available) + narrative notes parsed
75
Lenders & charges
12 charges (12/12 with lender, 12/12 with type)
90
Directors & officers
11 officers (4 active, 11 linked, 8 with DOB)
85
Ownership & PSC
1 active PSC(s) of 3 total, 3 with control declared
90
Director network
11 connected companies via shared directors
78
Filing history
91 filings on record
85
Gazette notices
No matching gazette notices (standard for active companies)
60
Opportunity Score
70/100Strong
PassWatchWorth a lookStrongExceptional
Solid opportunity signal. Worth a dedicated memo and management meeting.
Business quality
60
Adequate — check latest filings for context.
Acquirability
70
Strong succession / seller-readiness signals.
Risk profile
66
Some moderate concerns — review flags.
Signal strength
100
Good data coverage for analysis.
Signals from accounts
Derived from iXBRL accounts · accounting standard not declaredPositive net assets
Net assets £2,382,257
Cash YoY
-11%
Year on year
Key financials
2 years extracted from filed iXBRL accountsCash
£896k
↓ 11% YoY
Net Worth
£2.4m
↑ 9.0% YoY
Current Assets
£3.3m
↓ 2.7% YoY
Current Liabilities
—
Hover to see exact values · click legend to toggle series
Financials
Extracted from Companies House accounts · accounting standard unknown| Metric | 2025-02-28 | 2024-02-28 |
|---|---|---|
| Total assets | £3.49M | £3.46M |
| Current assets | £3.26M | £3.35M |
| Cash | £895.5k | £1.00M |
| Debtors | £2.29M | £2.14M |
| Net assets | £2.38M | £2.19M |
Amounts extracted automatically from iXBRL. Fields left blank were not reported or not mapped. Values in GBP unless stated.
🔒Filing-note intelligence
1 signal detected in this company's narrative notes — going-concern language, audit opinion, contingent liabilities, related-party transactions.
Available from the Pro tier upwards.
See pricing →Recent activity
Last 30 days
1
filing
- • 1 officers
Last 90 days
5
filings
- • 3 mortgage
- • 2 officers
Last 180 days
6
filings
- • 3 mortgage
- • 2 officers
- • 1 confirmation-statement
Counts from Companies House filing history.
Corporate timeline (55 events)Click to expand
- 2026-05-13📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2026-03-31📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2026-03-24➕WILLECOME, Matthew John appointeddirector
- 2026-03-24➖COUGHLIN, Sion resigneddirector
- 2026-03-24📄mortgage-create-with-deed-with-charge-number-charge-creation-datemortgage · MR01
- 2026-03-17🔒Charge registered #12Lender: Akzo Nobel Coatings Limited
- 2026-03-05📄mortgage-create-with-deed-with-charge-number-charge-creation-datemortgage · MR01
- 2026-02-20📄mortgage-satisfy-charge-fullmortgage · MR04
- 2026-02-20🔓Charge satisfied #5
- 2026-02-19🔒Charge registered #11Lender: G Mitchell Limited
- 2025-11-12📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2025-10-17➖PEARSE, Christopher Andrew Sainthill resigneddirector
- 2025-10-15📄accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-fullaccounts · AA
- 2024-11-13📄accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-fullaccounts · AA
- 2023-11-29📄accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-fullaccounts · AA
- 2023-07-27📄mortgage-create-with-deed-with-charge-number-charge-creation-datemortgage · MR01
- 2023-07-25🔒Charge registered #10Lender: Dbw Investments (3) Limited
- 2023-05-17📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2023-05-17📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2023-05-12➕HAM, Mervyn Adrian appointeddirector
- 2023-05-12➕PEARSE, Christopher Andrew Sainthill appointeddirector
- 2023-03-30📍change-registered-office-address-company-with-date-old-address-new-addressaddress · AD01
- 2022-11-22📄accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-fullaccounts · AA
- 2022-02-08📄mortgage-create-with-deed-with-charge-number-charge-creation-datemortgage · MR01
- 2022-02-04📄mortgage-create-with-deed-with-charge-number-charge-creation-datemortgage · MR01
- 2022-02-03🔒Charge registered #9Lender: Dbw Investments (3) Limited
- 2022-02-03🔒Charge registered #8Lender: Dbw Investments (3) Limited
- 2021-11-24📄accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-fullaccounts · AA
- 2020-11-25📄accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-fullaccounts · AA
- 2020-09-17📄mortgage-create-with-deed-with-charge-number-charge-creation-datemortgage · MR01
- 2020-09-10🔒Charge registered #7Lender: Barclays Security Trustee Limited
- 2020-05-19🔒Charge registered #6Lender: Dbw Investments (10) Limited
- 2018-03-23➕SUMMERS, Michael John appointeddirector
- 2018-03-23➕YOUNG, Calum appointeddirector
- 2018-03-23➖WILLIAMS, Ieuan Howard Albert resignedsecretary
- 2018-03-23➕COUGHLIN, Sion appointeddirector
- 2018-03-23➖REES, David Edward resigneddirector
- 2018-03-23➖WILLIAMS, Ieuan Howard Albert resigneddirector
- 2018-03-23🔒Charge registered #5Lender: Dbw Investments (12) Limited
- 2018-03-14🔓Charge satisfied #4
- 2018-03-14🔓Charge satisfied #3
- 2007-06-01🔓Charge satisfied #2
- 2007-06-01🔓Charge satisfied #1
- 2006-10-17🔒Charge registered #4Lender: Barclays Bank PLC
- 2005-10-07🔒Charge registered #3Lender: Barclays Bank PLC
- 2003-11-28🔒Charge registered #2Lender: Heps Holdings Limited
- 2003-11-26🔒Charge registered #1Lender: Lloyds Tsb Bank PLC
- 2002-01-30🏢Company incorporatedAs 1ST CHOICE ACCIDENT REPAIR CENTRE LIMITED
- 2002-01-30➕WILLIAMS, Ieuan Howard Albert appointedsecretary
- 2002-01-30➕CFL SECRETARIES LIMITED appointedcorporate-nominee-secretary
Showing most recent 50 of 55 events
Owner dependency
55/100
Moderate — manageable with handoverSome founder dependency, but not acute. A structured handover period should cover most risk.
FACTORS
- -4 active directors: Broader management team in place — suggests transferable governance.
- +Founder age: Director aged approximately 69 — succession pressure is live.
Succession & seller-readiness
50/100
Moderate signalSome succession indicators present. Worth watching; approach if sector/strategy fits.
SIGNALS
- primaryFounder aged 63+: Senior director is approximately 69. Approaching typical UK retirement age — succession thinking likely.
Red flags
2 med · 1 low2 director resignations in last 12 months
mediumMultiple recent departures can indicate governance disagreement, succession event, or preparation for sale/stress.
Evidence: COUGHLIN, Sion resigned 2026-03-24; PEARSE, Christopher Andrew Sainthill resigned 2025-10-17
Charge satisfaction-then-recreation pattern
mediumMultiple instances where a charge was satisfied and a new charge created within 6 months. Suggests active refinancing cycle.
7 live charges
lowHeavily leveraged with multiple live security positions — understand the capital structure before proceeding.
Group structure
1st Choice Auto Body Group Uk Ltd is the ultimate parent — holding 75%+ shares. This company sits inside their group.
🏛️ultimate parent
1st Choice Auto Body Group Uk Ltd
Corporate parent · holds 75-100% shares · board control
⬇
1ST CHOICE ACCIDENT REPAIR CENTRE LIMITED
This company · 04363836
Parent relationships inferred from Persons with Significant Control filings. Full subsidiary tree requires reverse-lookup (coming).
Shareholders & ownership
1 active beneficial owner · dominant holder ≥75%| Name | Shares | Voting rights | Nature of control | Notified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1st Choice Auto Body Group Uk Ltd Corporate entity | 75–100% | 75–100% | board control75-100% shares · 75-100% voting · board control | 23/03/2018 |
2 historic (ceased) PSCs
- Mr David Edward Reesceased 23/03/2018· 25-50% shares
- Mr Ieuan Howard Albert Williamsceased 23/03/2018· 25-50% shares
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 · Automotive · CF postcode area| Company | Est. value | Turnover | Net worth | Staff | Age | Opp | Director |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1ST CLASS BODY REPAIRS LTD→ 10450029 · est 2016 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 9y | — | — |
| 1ST STOP MOT CARDIFF LTD→ 11597146 · est 2018 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 7y | — | — |
| 3M TINTS LTD→ 16525466 · est 2025 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| A&M AUTO REPAIRS LTD→ 13031320 · est 2020 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 5y | — | — |
| AA CARS CARDIFF LTD→ 15308072 · est 2023 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 2y | — | — |
| AB PRESTIGE LIMITED→ 16954296 · est 2026 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| ABERDARE AUTO TRADE LIMITED→ 09573406 · est 2015 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 10y | — | — |
| ABERDARE CRASH ACCIDENT REPAIR CENTRE LTD→ 10865516 · est 2017 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 8y | — | — |
| ABOVE BEYOND FINANCE LIMITED→ 15173872 · est 2023 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 2y | — | — |
| ABSOLUTE VANS LTD→ 16116412 · est 2024 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 1y | — | — |
| ACE MOT STATION LIMITED→ 09228250 · est 2014 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 11y | — | — |
| ACH CARDIFF LTD→ 12501034 · est 2020 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 6y | — | — |
Peers ranked by estimated value, then turnover, then opportunity score.See all →
🔒Tailored diligence questions
9 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
Incorporated2002-01-30
Jurisdictionengland-wales
Primary SIC45200 — SIC 45200
Registered office
Unit 10 Ipswich Road
Cardiff
CF23 9AQ
Wales
Filing status
Accounts
Next due: 2026-11-30
Last made up to: 2025-02-28
Confirmation statement
Next due: 2027-02-13
Last: 2026-01-30
Officers (4 active · 7 resigned)
HAM, Mervyn Adrian→
Activedirector · ~69y · appointed 2023-05-12
View their other companies + combined net worth →
SUMMERS, Michael John→
Activedirector · ~69y · appointed 2018-03-23
View their other companies + combined net worth →
WILLECOME, Matthew John→
Activedirector · ~48y · appointed 2026-03-24
View their other companies + combined net worth →
YOUNG, Calum→
Activedirector · ~41y · appointed 2018-03-23
View their other companies + combined net worth →
WILLIAMS, Ieuan Howard Albert→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2002-01-30 · resigned 2018-03-23
CFL SECRETARIES LIMITED→
Resignedcorporate-nominee-secretary · appointed 2002-01-30 · resigned 2002-01-30
COUGHLIN, Sion→
Resigneddirector · ~57y · appointed 2018-03-23 · resigned 2026-03-24
PEARSE, Christopher Andrew Sainthill→
Resigneddirector · ~64y · appointed 2023-05-12 · resigned 2025-10-17
REES, David Edward→
Resigneddirector · ~76y · appointed 2002-01-30 · resigned 2018-03-23
WILLIAMS, Ieuan Howard Albert→
Resigneddirector · ~74y · appointed 2002-01-30 · resigned 2018-03-23
CFL DIRECTORS LIMITED→
Resignedcorporate-nominee-director · appointed 2002-01-30 · resigned 2002-01-30
Click a director name to see their full track record across all companies.
Mortgages & charges
12
Total charges
7
Outstanding
5
Active lenders
Status:Lender:12 of 12 shown
| Type | Properties | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| outstanding | Akzo Nobel Coatings Akzo Nobel Coatings Limited | A registered charge | — | 17/03/2026 | — | |
| outstanding | G Mitchell G Mitchell Limited | A registered charge | 1 property | 19/02/2026 | — | |
| outstanding | Dbw Investments (3) Dbw Investments (3) Limited | A registered charge | 1 property | 25/07/2023 | — | |
| outstanding | Dbw Investments (3) Dbw Investments (3) Limited | A registered charge | 2 properties | 03/02/2022 | — | |
| outstanding | Dbw Investments (3) Dbw Investments (3) Limited | A registered charge | 1 property | 03/02/2022 | — | |
| outstanding | Barclays Barclays Security Trustee Limited | A registered charge | — | 10/09/2020 | — | |
| outstanding | Dbw Investments (10) Dbw Investments (10) Limited | A registered charge | 2 properties | 19/05/2020 | — | |
| satisfied | Dbw Investments (12) Dbw Investments (12) Limited | A registered charge | 2 properties | 23/03/2018 | 20/02/2026 | |
| satisfied | Barclays Barclays Bank PLC | Guarantee & debenture | 1 property | 17/10/2006 | 14/03/2018 | |
| satisfied | Barclays Barclays Bank PLC | Guarantee & debenture | 1 property | 07/10/2005 | 14/03/2018 | |
| satisfied | Heps Holdings Heps Holdings Limited | Rent deposit deed | 1 property | 28/11/2003 | 01/06/2007 | |
| satisfied | Lloyds Banking Group Lloyds Tsb Bank PLC | Debenture | 1 property | 26/11/2003 | 01/06/2007 |
Click column headers to sort. Use filters above to narrow by status and lender.
Recent filings (91 total)
appoint-person-director-company-with-name-date
officers · AP01
2026-05-13
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2026-03-31
mortgage-create-with-deed-with-charge-number-charge-creation-date
mortgage · MR01
2026-03-24
mortgage-create-with-deed-with-charge-number-charge-creation-date
mortgage · MR01
2026-03-05
mortgage-satisfy-charge-full
mortgage · MR04
2026-02-20
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2026-02-12
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2025-11-12
accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
accounts · AA
2025-10-15
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2025-02-05
accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
accounts · AA
2024-11-13
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2024-02-09
accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
accounts · AA
2023-11-29
mortgage-create-with-deed-with-charge-number-charge-creation-date
mortgage · MR01
2023-07-27
appoint-person-director-company-with-name-date
officers · AP01
2023-05-17
appoint-person-director-company-with-name-date
officers · AP01
2023-05-17