1996 Ford Escort RS2000

Highlights

• Both rear wheel arches replaced and respray carried out prior to current ownership
• Over £1,300 spent on mechanical and maintenance work in 2025
• File of invoices and MOT certificates from 2005 to present
• Original owner's handbook and red key included
• In current ownership for approximately eight years, garage stored throughout
• Advisory-free MOT to December 2026

The Appeal

The Mk5 Ford Escort RS2000 was the final flourish of the RS-badged Escort lineage, pairing a responsive 2.0-litre DOHC engine with the kind of sharp, communicative handling that earned the RS name. As earlier RS Escorts continue to climb in value, these later cars are attracting well-deserved attention.

This example has been in the current owner's care for approximately eight years, during which time it has been garage stored and SORN'd over the winters to keep it well away from wet conditions. Prior to the current ownership, both rear wheel arches were replaced and a full respray was carried out. The vendor describes the paintwork as beautiful, noting that it draws admiring looks and comments at classic car shows. The interior, featuring Recaro seats and a working Ford Radio Cassette player, is described by the vendor as being in excellent order and well looked after over the past 30 years.

On the mechanical front, the car benefited from over £1,300 of work in 2025, covering brakes front and rear, suspension components, electrical items, and general servicing. The vendor reports that the engine starts first time every time, even after sitting on a trickle charger over winter, and praises both the engine note and the car's composure through corners. The only known modification from standard is a stainless steel exhaust. Accompanying the car is the original owner's handbook stamped up to 2005, the red key, a purpose-made car cover, and a file of receipts and MOT certificates.

Key Information

• Mileage: 76,800 miles indicated (supported by MOT history from 2005 to present)
• Country of registration: United Kingdom
• Technical inspection status: MOT valid until 15th December 2026 (no advisories)
• Technical specs: 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder DOHC petrol, five-speed manual
• Paperwork: original owner's handbook stamped up to 2005, red key, file of invoices and MOT certificates from 2005 to present

The Detail

• Garage stored and SORN'd over winters throughout the current owner's approximately eight-year ownership
• In 2025, over £1,300 spent on: fuse box, blower motor, thermostat housing, front discs and pads, rear tyre, alternator and belt, spark plugs, rear brake drums and shoes, one wheel cylinder, one wheel bearing, a wishbone, a link rod, and a CV boot
• The vendor states the engine starts first time every time, even after being on trickle charge over winter
• Only known modification from standard is a stainless steel exhaust
• Fitted with Recaro seats
• All instruments and switches reported to be working, including the Ford Radio Cassette player (cassette function untested)
• Tiny stone chip in the windscreen on the passenger side; does not affect visibility
• The vendor states the underside appears in good order
• The vendor describes the paintwork as beautiful, receiving admiring looks at classic car shows
• The vendor states the interior is in excellent condition and has been well looked after
• A purpose-made car cover is included in the sale

BEFORE YOU BUY

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