Mathewsons December 2026 sale
Lot 12: 1988 Ford Escort Ghia at the Mathewsons December 2026 auction
By Jon Cosson · Last checked
Part of our Bangers & Cash guide.
Listing checked
What the listing says
At the time of checking, Mathewsons' listing gave only the year, make and model: 1988 Ford Escort Ghia.
What to check on any Ford Escort Mk3 or Mk4
- The battery tray and bulkhead are the classic rot spots. A damp front carpet, especially on the passenger side, is a strong hint of trouble here.
- Check the rear inner arches, rear chassis rails, sills (blocked drains cause rot from inside), floorpan and boot floor, front crossmember, behind the headlamps and around the front mounts of the rear trailing arms.
- Visible rust shows at door bottoms, wing tips by the indicators, the bonnet's leading edge, roof gutters, tailgate seams and hinges.
- Bubbling around a sunroof suggests blocked drains. Windscreen seals leak into the floors.
- Body kits on XR models can hide damage and trap water. Look for rippled inner wings, overspray on rubbers and uneven panel gaps as signs of crash repair.
- Cabriolet: expect some scuttle shake. Check the hood fabric, frame and seals, and lift the carpets for water. Hood fabric is relatively easy to renew.
Checks for this car
- Check the Mk4 Escort rust points: sills, rear arches and floor.
- Ask for the history and the MOT record.
Questions to ask before you bid
- Can I see the V5C, and do the chassis and engine numbers match it?
- What history file, invoices and MOT records come with it?
- When was it last used on the road?
- What history and MOT records come with it?
- When was it last used on the road?
Viewing and bidding
Viewing at the Pickering saleroom runs Wednesday 25 November to Tuesday 1 December 2026: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, Saturday 9am to 12 noon, closed Sunday. Entry is £5 per person, which includes admission on the day and a donation to one of Mathewsons' chosen charities. The sale is Wednesday 2 to Friday 4 December 2026, held behind closed doors, with bidding online, by telephone or by commission.
Every lot is sold as seen. Read Mathewsons' terms (opens in a new tab) before you register.
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