Van Mossel Iow Limited

Reference number: 709850

Instant download

Appointed representative

This firm does not hold FCA authorisation of its own, and acts under a principal firm, which is legally responsible for its regulated business.

Responsible principal firm

Automotive Compliance Limited Reference number: 497010 Authorised View firm →
What does this mean?
  • An appointed representative (AR) can carry out regulated financial services, but is not directly authorised by the FCA. A principal firm holds the authorisation and is legally responsible for the AR's conduct.
  • VAN MOSSEL IOW LIMITED (FRN 709850) is an AR of Automotive Compliance Limited (FRN 497010). When you use VAN MOSSEL IOW's services, the FCA authorisation sits with the principal firm.
  • Example: if you take financial advice from VAN MOSSEL IOW, complaints and compensation usually follow the same rules as dealing with the principal, but this depends on the product and your circumstances.
  • Before you proceed, confirm contact details match the official FCA register for both firms. Scammers sometimes clone legitimate AR names and FRNs but use fake phone numbers and websites.

Website, phone number and address

Compare these against whatever you were given. Scammers clone real firm names and reference numbers but use their own phone number and website, so a detail that does not match the register is the clearest warning sign there is.

In the full report: 3 background checks

  • When esplanade.co.uk first appeared online, and whether it can receive email
  • What kind of line 01983 523232 is
  • Who else gives the postcode PO31 8BF
Instant PDF download
Other names (11)

If you were contacted under any of these names, it is this firm.

  • Esplanade Buzz Centre Trading name
  • Esplanade CUPRA Isle of Wight Trading name
  • Esplanade Mercedes-Benz Trading name
  • Esplanade SEAT Isle of Wight Trading name
  • Esplanade Skoda Trading name
  • Esplanade Volkswagen Trading name
  • Esplanade Volvo Trading name
  • Esplanade VW Isle of Wight Trading name
  • Van Mossel Esplanade Trading name
  • Volkswagen Isle of Wight Trading name
  • Esplanade Limited Former name

FCA permissions and consumer protection

  • Protection through the principal firm
    Protection works through Automotive Compliance Limited, the principal firm responsible for this firm's regulated activity. FSCS cover and the Financial Ombudsman Service apply as they would to the principal.
  • Complaints Ombudsman, free
    You can refer a complaint about this firm to the Financial Ombudsman Service for free, whichever activity it relates to.

FCA disciplinary action and complaints

No FCA disciplinary action.

The Financial Ombudsman Service only publishes complaint figures for firms with 30 or more new complaints in six months, so there are none here for this firm.

Companies House record

The company behind the firm: its status, age, registered office and directors.

Company number
00408311
Company status
Active
Company type
Private limited company
Incorporated
12 April 1946 (80 years old)
Registered office
Airfield Way, Cowes, Isle Of Wight, PO31 8BF, England
Nature of business
  • Sale of new cars and light motor vehicles (SIC 45111)
  • Sale of used cars and light motor vehicles (SIC 45112)
  • Maintenance and repair of motor vehicles (SIC 45200)
  • Retail trade of motor vehicle parts and accessories (SIC 45320)

Directors and company secretaries

Name Role Born Appointed Other companies
Andrew William Lean Director Feb 1971 17 Nov 2025 2 other companies
Alison Gail Polkinghorne Director Jun 1970 17 Nov 2025 9 other companies
Alison Gail Polkinghorne Secretary Not published 17 Nov 2025 –

Other companies run by these 2 directors

A firm is run by people, and their other companies are their track record: what they built, what closed, and anything that failed. It is the check most people never think to make.

other companies
10
still active
10
are FCA-registered
5

In the full report: all 10 companies, named

  • What each company does, and whether it is still trading
  • Which of these 2 directors sit on each board, and since when
  • Any that went into liquidation or administration
  • The 5 on the FCA register
  • The 1 company these 2 directors run together
  • All 12 people who have ever been directors, with their dates
Instant PDF download

Key dates in its history

Van Mossel Iow’s history from the FCA register and Companies House, newest first.

Key events (5) All events (35)

2025

1 August 2025

  • Changed its registered name from "Esplanade Limited"

FCA register

2016

6 April 2016

  • Van Mossel Automotive Group UK Limited took control (75–100% of shares)

Companies House

2015

10 July 2015

  • Became an appointed representative

FCA register

20 March 2015

  • Board replaced: both directors left and 2 new directors took over

Companies House

1946

12 April 1946

  • Incorporated at Companies House

Companies House

In the full report: all 35 events

  • All 35 events in its history (5 shown here)
  • Every director appointment and resignation: 18
Instant PDF download

Firms connected to Van Mossel Iow

Other FCA-listed firms that share a director, phone number or address with Van Mossel Iow. A link shows who the firm is tied to, not whether either can be trusted.

connected firms
4
share a director
4
past link
1

In the full report: all 4 connected firms, named

  • How each is linked: shared directors (4)
  • Who links each one: the named directors, with dates
  • 1 past link through former directors
Instant PDF download

Firms like Van Mossel Iow

Other firms of the same type (car dealer), nearest first.

In Cowes

Leslie's Service Station LimitedCowesAppointed representativeLeslies (Ventnor) LimitedCowesAppointed representativeWight Lease LimitedCowesAppointed representative

Firms are listed by type and location, best known first. Being listed is not a recommendation: check any firm before you deal with it.

Get the full report on Van Mossel Iow

Everything on this page, plus everything locked above, in one dated PDF you can keep, file or send on.

  • 10 other companies its directors have run, named
  • 3 background checks on its contact details
  • All 35 events in its history
  • 4 connected firms, named, and who links them

Instant PDF One-off payment Secure checkout by Stripe

Frequently asked questions about this firm

Is Van Mossel Iow Limited FCA authorised?
Van Mossel Iow Limited (FRN 709850) is not directly authorised. It is an appointed representative acting under the responsibility of a directly authorised principal firm.
What does appointed representative mean for Van Mossel Iow?
An appointed representative (AR) can carry out regulated financial services, but is not directly authorised by the FCA. A principal firm holds the authorisation and is legally responsible for the AR's conduct. Van Mossel Iow Limited (FRN 709850) is an AR of Automotive Compliance Limited (FRN 497010). When you use Van Mossel Iow's services, the FCA authorisation sits with the principal firm. Example: if you take financial advice from Van Mossel Iow, complaints and compensation usually follow the same rules as dealing with the principal, but this depends on the product and your circumstances. Before you proceed, confirm contact details match the official FCA register for both firms. Scammers sometimes clone legitimate AR names and FRNs but use fake phone numbers and websites.
What is Van Mossel Iow’s phone number and website?
The FCA register lists the phone number 01983 523232 and the website esplanade.co.uk for Van Mossel Iow. If you were given different contact details, use these to check with the firm before going any further.
Is Van Mossel Iow a scam or clone?
Van Mossel Iow is a genuine FCA-listed firm, and the FCA has published no warnings about fake versions of it. Scammers do copy real firms, though, so check that any contact details you were given match the ones on the register.
Is my money safe with Van Mossel Iow?
Protection works through Automotive Compliance Limited, the principal firm responsible for Van Mossel Iow's regulated activity. FSCS cover and the Financial Ombudsman Service apply as they would to the principal.
Who owns Van Mossel Iow?
Van Mossel Iow is owned by Van Mossel Automotive Group UK Limited, which holds 75–100% of shares, 75–100% of votes and can appoint and remove the board, since 6 April 2016.
Who runs Van Mossel Iow?
Companies House lists 2 directors of Van Mossel Iow: Andrew William Lean and Alison Gail Polkinghorne.
How long has Van Mossel Iow been in business?
The company was formed on 12 April 1946.
Does Van Mossel Iow use any other names?
It trades as Esplanade Buzz Centre, Esplanade CUPRA Isle of Wight, Esplanade Mercedes-Benz, Esplanade SEAT Isle of Wight and Esplanade Skoda, and 5 more names. It has previously used the name Esplanade Limited.

Sources and links

The full report on Van Mossel Iow Limited

£19.99 · Instant PDF download

Loading secure checkout…