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Mk4 RS Turbo S2
1986–1990Offered in more colours and heavily targeted by thieves in period, so clean original cars are now scarce.
- 1597cc CVH turbo
- 132 bhp
- 0–60 8.2s
- 124 mph
1986–1990 · The smooth facelift
Ford Escort Mk4
A thorough update of the Mk3 with a smoother nose, new dashboard and lean-burn engines. Options like mechanical anti-lock brakes and the heated "Quickclear" windscreen showed that family-car kit was moving upmarket.
Key facts
- Built
- Halewood (UK) and Saarlouis (Germany)
- Layout
- Front engine, front-wheel drive
- Bodies
- 3/5-door hatchback, estate, van, Cabriolet
- Engines
- 1.1 & 1.3 OHV; 1.3, 1.4 & 1.6 CVH (incl. lean-burn); 1.6 EFi; 1.6 CVH turbo; 1.6/1.8 diesel
- Trims
- Popular, L, GL, Ghia, XR3i, RS Turbo S2, Cabriolet
- Identify it
- Smooth nose with a narrow slot grille, new dashboard, wraparound rear lamps
Parts supplyMechanical good, trim poor
Fake riskMedium
Values trendRising
What makes a good one
The Mk4 shares the Mk3's structure, so the rust advice is the same, and the warning about modified cars applies even more strongly. The RS Turbo S2 was one of the most stolen cars in Britain, so many survivors have repaired ignition locks, missing trim or theft-recovery history. Some cars had Ford's optional mechanical anti-lock braking (SCS); check it works, because parts are now hard to find.
The theft-recovered question
A history check showing "stolen – recovered" isn't automatically a deal-breaker on an 1980s hot Ford. What matters is whether the car kept its identity and original parts. Ask for the recovery paperwork, check the steering lock and ignition, and make sure the VIN is untouched in every location.
Sleeper tip
Late, unmolested Mk4 XR3i and Ghia models are still reasonably priced. A rust-free car with full history will be worth far more than a cheap, tired one, so buy on condition, not price.
Models & specifications
Escort Mk4 models
Specifications are approximate period figures. Value ranges are indicative UK prices for good to excellent cars in 2026; see the full price guide.
£15k–£35k
Common faults
- Rear arches, sills, jacking points and front wing tops
- SCS anti-lock: seized or noisy modulators and perished drive belts
- Heated windscreen elements failing, with scarce replacements
- Central locking, electric window and dashboard electrical faults
- RS Turbo S2: turbo wear, boost leaks, clutch and driveshaft wear
- Damp in the tailgate area and spare wheel well
Walk-away signs
- VIN stampings that look ground, restamped or painted over
- A swapped engine on a car priced as original
- Extensive rear arch filler under fresh paint
- A crash-repaired front end with uneven panel gaps and overspray on the rubbers
Where the Mk4 rusts
Check each of these areas, in this order, at any viewing.
- Front panel below the headlamps
- Front wing tops
- Front subframe and mounts
- Scuttle and A-pillar bottoms
- Sills and jacking points
- Door bottoms
- Rear wheel arches
- Rear suspension mounts inside the boot
- Tailgate lower edge
- Spare wheel well and rear valance
Free 46-page PDF
Don't buy a
Don't buy a
£40k mistake.
A fake Mexico or a rotten RS2000 can cost you more than the car. The Escort Buyer's Bible is 46 pages of what the specialists check, written for people about to hand over real money.
- Chassis and VIN checks to spot a genuine RS
- Rust maps for every generation, Mk1 to Mk6
- Price guide covering 31 models, from Harrier to Cosworth
- Printable inspection score sheet