Classic Ford once owned by 4 million people now worth over £48,000

One of the UK’s most famous classic cars once owned by four million road users is now valued at almost £50,000, according to the latest analysis by leading experts. New data from Auction4Cars.com found the Ford Escort has soared in price with motorists splashing out a small fortune to secure the keys to a model.

A base three-door 1980s Ford Escort would have cost around £3,374 brand new back in the day. However, with just 1,700 models left on the road, motorists would likely pay up to £48,100 to repurchase the model on the classic car market today. A 1990s Ford Escort was around £5,400 when brand new but prices have again massively increased.

Data shows these models are now valued at £23,200 with around 1,700 examples left on the road. 

John Hood, General Manager at Auction4Cars.com stressed data shows motorists were desperate to “get their hands” on classic models.

He said: "Many cars from this era will hold a lot of sentimental value for motorists, which might explain why they’ve been recapturing the imagination of car owners in recent years.  

"With searches for '90s cars' up 26% in the first quarter of 2025, its clear drivers are trying to get their hands on these nostalgic cars."

The Escort has since become a cult classic and one of the most symbolic symbols of the 1980s and 1990s. 

The practical Escort was loved by everyone, becoming a staple family model, commuter vehicle, and even as police cars. 

According to Auction4Cars, the Ford Escort was the number one most popular vehicle on UK roads in the 1980s. 

They claim that as many as 1.6million models were sold, more than the Ford Fiesta with 1.2million leaving forecourts. 

The vehicles switched a decade later with the Fiesta topping sales figures with 1.2million sold. 

However, the Escort still sold exceptionally with data suggesting that 1.1million models were sold in the UK over ten years. 

Over its history, the Ford Escort is estimated to have sold more than 4.1 million examples over its 33 year lifespan.

John added: "If we see demand continuing to grow, motorists are going to find it increasingly tricky to get their hands on these models – and will have to fork out more for them than they might expect.”