The directors present the strategic report for the year ended 31 December 2024.

The directors are pleased to report that the results for the calendar year 2024 show a significant improvement from the previous 18-month period and we have managed to report a profit of £79,000 at the PBT level, with a 14% increase of Gross Profit and significant improvement in Operating Profit to £413,000.

This strong turnaround is due to the significant cost reduction programs introduced towards the end of 2023 and also the improved management of used stock as well as a more stable market in used cars, with a return to historical levels of depreciation. Lower energy costs and better hedging of them has also assisted.

It is pleasing to note that sales have increased by 33% on a like for like basis, with higher turnover throughout the group, in both vehicle sales, after sales and parts.

Wage inflation is still a concern, and the business has had to absorb significant cost increases due to the recent rise in National Insurance rates and the minimum wage. We are exploring further cost savings through efficiencies improvements to compensate for these increases, but this will inevitably squeeze our margins.

The cost reduction program continued in 2024 and as reported last year, we relinquished an unprofitable operation in Telford and consolidated our brands on the remaining sites. The group concluded the sale of one of its sites in September 2024 and is ready to expand into new sites on its adjoining land in Shrewsbury, so we should be able to announce the addition of several franchises shortly.

New car sales in the retail sector are slowly recovering but they are still well below pre pandemic levels, especially for the Stellantis brands. We hope that their new product launches in 2024 and 2025 will stimulate growth. We are very pleased with the growth of our Renault, Dacia and MG businesses and look forward to continued growth in both ICE and EV vehicles in 2025 and beyond. The group will also explore adding new franchises to complement our existing brands and can hopefully increase volume through its overhead structure with minimal costs increases.

The shareholders of our parent company are fully supportive of the group and are ready to invest in further profitable growth.

The key performance indicators during the year were as follows:

The management of the business and the nature of the group's strategy are subject to a number of risks. The directors have set out below the principal risks facing the business.

Company, people and reputation

The group has invested heavily in its people and its reputation over a number of years. It is therefore reliant on these individuals to a degree in delivering the group result and reinforcing the underlying Budgen brand. The group undertakes a regular review of remuneration and packages to ensure that it attracts and retains the best people.

Competition

The group competes with other franchised vehicle dealerships, independent used vehicle sellers, private buyers and sellers, internet based dealers, independent service and repair shops and vehicle manufacturers who have entered the retail market. The group competes for the sale of new and used vehicles, the performance of warranty repairs, non-warranty repairs, routine maintenance business and for the provision of spare parts. The principal competitive factors in service and parts sales are price, familiarity with a manufacturer's brands and models and the quality of customer service.

Used vehicle price variation

Used vehicle prices can decline significantly. As a significant proportion of our business comprises used vehicle sales, these declines can have a material impact on our business. The impact of declines in used vehicle prices can result in reduced profits on sales and also write-downs in the value of used vehicle stock.

Manufacturer supply of new and improved products

The group is reliant on new vehicle products from Peugeot, Citroen, MG, Renault and Dacia. This exposes the group to risks in a number of areas as the group is dependent on its manufacturer/supplier in respect of:

•    availability of new vehicle product

•    quality of new vehicle product

•    pricing of new vehicle product

The directors are confident that future new products from its manufacturer/supplier will continue to be competitively priced and high quality and therefore consider that this "manufacturer risk" is minimal. It is also considered that this risk is mitigated by the other core business areas such as the sales of used vehicles, parts and the servicing of vehicles.

Environmental Impact

The reduction of car ownership as a result of concerns over pollution could reduce vehicle sales and the total size of the UK car market, however the greatest falls are anticipated to first occur in urban areas, so the directors believe that the group is reasonably well isolated from this impact in the short term of three to five years.

The swing in demand from diesel to petrol and electric or hybrid vehicles is also a threat but the major manufacturers represented by the group have all committed to launching hybrid and electric vehicles to meet demand in 2024 and 2025.

General economic conditions

The general economic environment and levels of consumer and business confidence have a direct impact on levels of demand in the motor retail sector. The current interest rates are likely to place significant pressure on customers and they may not be able to afford the finance agreements they have previously entered into or to replace vehicles at the same costs as three or four years ago. However there is a strong likelihood that interest rates will fall slightly in the next year so this will hopefully reduce that risk. In addition the financial risk for The group is limited as the risk on the financial agreements is not carried by the group but by the banks of the vehicle manufacturers and customers may choose to trade down to cheaper vehicles which the group is well placed to offer. The group also has very low gearing, and the only debt is vehicle funding and a limited overdraft, so there is limited exposure to higher debt financing.

On behalf of the board

The directors present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024.

The principal activity of the group in the year under review was that of a motor vehicle dealership. The principal activity of the company in the year under review was that of a holding company.

The results for the year are set out on page 10.

No ordinary dividends were paid by the company. The directors do not recommend payment of a further dividend.

No preference dividends were paid. The directors do not recommend payment of a final dividend.

The directors who held office during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were as follows:

The group makes efforts to manage the financial risk by the monitoring of cashflow to ensure that the group is able to meet its foreseeable debts as they fall due and to invest any cash assets profitably.

The group's liquidity position does not place reliance on short term borrowings, and hence such perceived risk is considered to be minimal.

The group's principal financial assets are stock and trade debtors. The credit risk associated with stock is limited and therefore the principal credit risk arises from its trade debtors.

In order to manage credit risk, the directors set limits for customers based on a combination of payment history and third part credit references. These credit limits are reviewed regularly by the directors together with the aged debtors and collection history.

The audit business of UHY Hacker Young Manchester LLP was acquired by Cooper Parry Group Limited on 30 September 2024. UHY Hacker Young Manchester LLP has resigned as auditor and Cooper Parry Group Limited has been appointed in its place. The auditor, Cooper Parry Group Limited, is deemed to be reappointed under section 487(2) of the Companies Act 2006.

This section includes our mandatory reporting of energy and greenhouse gas emissions for the period 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024, pursuant to the Companies (Directors’ Report) and Limited Liability Partnerships (Energy and Carbon Report) Regulations 2018, implementing the government’s Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) policy.

The table below includes total energy consumption (reported as kWh) and greenhouse gas emissions for the sources required by the regulations, along with our intensity ratio.

Our methodology to calculate our greenhouse gas emissions is based on the 'Environmental Reporting Guidelines: Including streamlined energy and carbon reporting guidance (March 2019), using DESNZ's 2024 conversion factors as appropriate. In some cases, consumption has been extrapolated from available data or direct comparison made to a comparable period.

We report using a financial control approach to define our organisational boundary. We have reported all material emission sources required by the regulations for which we deem ourselves to be responsible and have maintained records of all source data and calculations.

The chosen intensity measurement ratio is total gross emissions in metric tonnes CO2e per £million of turnover, the recommended ratio for the sector.

During the reporting period, the following energy efficiency actions have been taken:

• £12k invested in LED lighting upgrades;

• Reminders regularly sent across the group to switch lighting off when not needed and to keep heating controls carefully managed.

The directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under company law the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the group and company, and of the profit or loss of the group for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:

• select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

• make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

• state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;

• prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the group and company will continue in business.

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the group’s and company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the group and company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the group and company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The truegroup has chosen in accordance with Companies Act 2006, s. 414C(11) to set out in the group's strategic report information required by Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008, Sch. 7 to be contained in the directors' report. It has done so in respect of future developments.

So far as each person who was a director at the date of approving this report is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the auditor of the company is unaware. Additionally, the directors individually have taken all the necessary steps that they ought to have taken as directors in order to make themselves aware of all relevant audit information and to establish that the auditor of the company is aware of that information.

We have audited the financial statements of Ellisa Holdings Limited (the 'parent company') and its subsidiaries (the 'group') for the year ended 31 December 2024 which comprise the group statement of comprehensive income, the group balance sheet, the company balance sheet, the group statement of changes in equity, the company statement of changes in equity, the group statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

• give a true and fair view of the state of the group's and the parent company's affairs as at 31 December 2024 and of the group's loss for the year then ended;

• have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and

• have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the group and parent company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the directors' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the group's and parent company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The directors are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of our audit:

• The information given in the strategic report and the directors' report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and

• The strategic report and the directors' report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the group and the parent company and their environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the strategic report or the directors' report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

• adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or

• the parent company financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or

• certain disclosures of directors' remuneration specified by law are not made; or

• we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.

As explained more fully in the directors' responsibilities statement, the directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the parent company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the parent company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.

In identifying and assessing risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud, we considered the following:

• the nature of the industry and sector, control environment and business performance.

• any matters we identified having obtained and reviewed the Company’s documentation of their policies and procedures relating to:

  • identifying, evaluating and complying with laws and regulations and whether they were aware of any instances of non-compliance,

  • detecting and responding to the risks of fraud and whether they have knowledge of any actual, suspected or alleged fraud;

• the internal controls established to mitigate risks of fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations; and

• the matters discussed among the audit engagement team and involving relevant internal specialists, including tax, and industry specialists regarding how and where fraud might occur in the financial statements and any potential indicators of fraud.

As a result of these procedures, we considered the opportunities and incentives that may exist within the organisation for fraud and identified the greatest potential for fraud in the following areas: valuation of used vehicle stocks and recognition of supplier incentives. In common with all audits under ISAs (UK), we are also required to perform specific procedures to respond to the risk of management override.

We also obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks the group operates in, focussing on provisions of those laws and regulations that had a direct effect on the determination of material amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The key laws and regulations we considered in this context included the UK Companies Act and tax legislation.

In addition, we considered provisions of other laws and regulations that do not have a direct effect on the financial statements but compliance with which may be fundamental to the group's ability to operate or to avoid a material penalty. These included the group's FCA regulatory requirements.

Our procedures to respond to risks identified included the following:

• reviewing the financial statement disclosures and testing to supporting documentation to assess compliance with provisions of relevant laws and regulations described as having a direct effect on the financial statements;

• enquiring of management and those charged with governance concerning actual and potential litigation claims;

• in addressing the risk of fraud through inappropriate valuation of used vehicle inventory, assessing net realisable value of stock items sold after the year end was above cost or assessing their value with reference to third party data sources if unsold.

• in addressing the risk of fraud through inappropriate recording of supplier incentives, ensuring amounts recorded as due were then subsequently acknowledged as such by the supplier;

• in assessing the risk of fraud through management override of controls, testing the appropriateness of journal entries and assessing whether judgements made in making accounting estimates are indicative of potential bias.

There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above and the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely we would become aware of it. Also, the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery or intentional misrepresentations, or through collusion.

A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company and the company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

As permitted by s408 Companies Act 2006, the company has not presented its own profit and loss account and related notes. The company’s profit for the year was £142,029 (2023 - £213,849 profit).

Ellisa Holdings Limited (“the company”) is a private limited company domiciled and incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is c/o Budgen Motors Ltd, Featherbed Lane, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY1 4NN

The group consists of Ellisa Holdings Limited and all of its subsidiaries.

The current reporting period is for 12 months from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024, whereas the prior period spanned 18 months ending 31 December 2023, therefore comparative amounts presented in the financial statements (including the related notes) are not entirely comparable.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the company. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

The company is a qualifying entity for the purposes of FRS 102, being a member of a group where the parent of that group prepares publicly available consolidated financial statements, including this company, which are intended to give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the group. The company has therefore taken advantage of exemptions from the following disclosure requirements for parent company information presented within the consolidated financial statements:

• Section 7 ‘Statement of Cash Flows’: Presentation of a statement of cash flow and related notes and disclosures;

• Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’;

• Section 33 ‘Related Party Disclosures’: Compensation for key management personnel.

In the parent company financial statements, the cost of a business combination is the fair value at the acquisition date of the assets given, equity instruments issued and liabilities incurred or assumed, plus costs directly attributable to the business combination. The excess of the cost of a business combination over the fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities acquired is recognised as goodwill. The cost of the combination includes the estimated amount of contingent consideration that is probable and can be measured reliably, and is adjusted for changes in contingent consideration after the acquisition date. Provisional fair values recognised for business combinations in previous periods are adjusted retrospectively for final fair values determined in the 12 months following the acquisition date. Investments in subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates are accounted for at cost less impairment.

Deferred tax is recognised on differences between the value of assets (other than goodwill) and liabilities recognised in a business combination accounted for using the purchase method and the amounts that can be deducted or assessed for tax, considering the manner in which the carrying amount of the asset or liability is expected to be recovered or settled. The deferred tax recognised is adjusted against goodwill or negative goodwill.

The consolidated group financial statements consist of the financial statements of the parent company Ellisa Holdings Limited together with all entities controlled by the parent company (its subsidiaries) and the group’s share of its interests in joint ventures and associates.

All financial statements are made up to 31 December 2024. Where necessary, adjustments are made to the financial statements of subsidiaries to bring the accounting policies used into line with those used by other members of the group.

All intra-group transactions, balances and unrealised gains on transactions between group companies are eliminated on consolidation. Unrealised losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred.

Subsidiaries are consolidated in the group’s financial statements from the date that control commences until the date that control ceases.

At the time of approving the financial statements, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the directors continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

Turnover represents amounts derived from the provision of goods and services which fall within the company’s ordinary activities after deduction of trade discounts and Value Added Tax. The turnover and pre-tax profit, all of which arises in the United Kingdom, is attributable to one activity.

Turnover is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable and represents amounts receivable for goods and services provided in the normal course of business, net of discounts and VAT.

Sales of motor vehicles, parts and accessories are recognised when the significant risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred to the buyer. In general this occurs when vehicles or parts are delivered to the customer and title has passed. Servicing and bodyshop sales are recognised on completion of the agreed work.

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of acquisition of a business over the fair value of net assets acquired. It is initially recognised as an asset at cost and is subsequently measured at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses. Goodwill is considered to have a finite useful life and is amortised on a systematic basis over its expected life, which is ten years.

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the profit and loss account.

Equity investments are measured at fair value through profit or loss, except for those equity investments that are not publicly traded and whose fair value cannot otherwise be measured reliably, which are recognised at cost less impairment until a reliable measure of fair value becomes available.

In the parent company financial statements, investments in subsidiaries, associates and jointly controlled entities are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses.

A subsidiary is an entity controlled by the group. Control is the power to govern the financial and operating policies of the entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities.

At each reporting period end date, the group reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible and intangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any). Where it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, the company estimates the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs.

Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell, after making due allowance for obsolete and slow moving items.

Vehicles on consignment are recognised within the balance sheet when the vehicles are in substance an asset of the group. This is determined by reference to whether the principal risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred to the group. The corresponding liability is included under creditors: amounts falling due within one year.

Cash and cash equivalents are basic financial assets and include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

The group has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

Financial instruments are recognised in the group's balance sheet when the group becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset and the net amounts presented in the financial statements when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the group after deducting all of its liabilities.

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors, bank loans, loans from fellow group companies and preference shares that are classified as debt, are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Equity instruments issued by the group are recorded at the proceeds received, net of transaction costs. Dividends payable on equity instruments are recognised as liabilities once they are no longer at the discretion of the group.

The tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax.

The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from net profit as reported in the profit and loss account because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. The group’s liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting end date.

Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all timing differences and deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that they will be recovered against the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or other future taxable profits. Such assets and liabilities are not recognised if the timing difference arises from goodwill or from the initial recognition of other assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the tax profit nor the accounting profit.

The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each reporting end date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered. Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period when the liability is settled or the asset is realised. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the profit and loss account, except when it relates to items charged or credited directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in equity. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset if, and only if, there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets and liabilities and the deferred tax assets and liabilities relate to taxes levied by the same tax authority.

The costs of short-term employee benefits are recognised as a liability and an expense, unless those costs are required to be recognised as part of the cost of stock or fixed assets.

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the company is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.

Leases are classified as finance leases whenever the terms of the lease transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to the lessees. All other leases are classified as operating leases.

Assets held under finance leases are recognised as assets at the lower of the assets fair value at the date of inception and the present value of the minimum lease payments. The related liability is included in the balance sheet as a finance lease obligation. Lease payments are treated as consisting of capital and interest elements. The interest is charged to profit or loss so as to produce a constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability.

Rentals payable under operating leases, including any lease incentives received, are charged to profit or loss on a straight line basis over the term of the relevant lease except where another more systematic basis is more representative of the time pattern in which economic benefits from the leased asset are consumed.

In the application of the group’s accounting policies, the directors are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

The following judgements (apart from those involving estimates) have had the most significant effect on amounts recognised in the financial statements.

Consignment vehicles are recognised on the balance sheet when the significant risks and rewards of ownership have passed to the group even though legal title has not yet passed. The corresponding liability is included within creditors: amounts falling due within one year.

The estimates and assumptions which have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amount of assets and liabilities are as follows.

The annual depreciation charge for tangible and intangible assets is sensitive to changes in the estimated useful economics lives and residual values of assets. The useful economic lives and residual values are re-assessed annually. They are amended where necessary to reflect current estimates.

Parts stock is valued at the lower of cost or net realisable value and represents the purchase price plus any additional costs incurred. Where necessary, provision is made for obsolete, slow moving and defective stock and recognised in cost of sales.

Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. The value of all used cars as well as the provision for obsolete, slow moving or defective stock can have a significant influence on the stock valuation in the financial statements. A comprehensive review of the stock held is carried out with reference to independent market valuation data.

The average monthly number of persons (including directors) employed by the group and company during the year was:

Their aggregate remuneration comprised:

The actual charge/(credit) for the year can be reconciled to the expected charge/(credit) for the year based on the profit or loss and the standard rate of tax as follows:

The net carrying value of tangible fixed assets includes the following in respect of assets held under finance leases or hire purchase contracts.

Details of the company's subsidiaries at 31 December 2024 are as follows:

The bank overdraft is secured by a fixed and floating charge over all assets within the group.

Included in trade creditors are vehicle funding facilities and consignment creditors of £13,913,268 (2023: £12,905,514). These are secured directly over the vehicles to which they relate.

Finance lease payments represent rentals payable by the company or group for certain items of plant and machinery. Leases include purchase options at the end of the lease period, and no restrictions are placed on the use of the assets. The average lease term is 5 years. All leases are on a fixed repayment basis and no arrangements have been entered into for contingent rental payments.

The following are the major deferred tax liabilities and assets recognised by the group and company, and movements thereon:

A defined contribution pension scheme is operated for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the group in an independently administered fund.

The preference shares rank pari pasu with ordinary shares with the exception that they rank first in respect of any return on capital. Preference shareholders have no voting rights, or rights to attend general meetings, unless there is a resolution on the winding up of the company or in varying the rights of shares. Preference shares can be redeemed at the option of the company only.

This reserve includes all current and prior period retained profits and losses less dividends paid.

The Company is a party to a cross-guarantee arrangement with its subsidiary company, Ellisa Motors Limited (a company registered in England). Under the terms of this arrangement, the Company has guaranteed the obligations of Ellisa Motors Limited in respect of certain borrowings and financial liabilities.

No amounts have been recognised in the financial statements in respect of this guarantee, as the directors consider the likelihood of a default by any of the guaranteed parties to be remote.

At the reporting end date the group had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:

The ultimate parent company is considered to be Rocktel Services Limited, which owns 100% of the issued share capital of the company

The ultimate controlling party is S E Nakhla by virtue of their majority shareholding in Rocktel Services Limited, the ultimate parent company.