Hi all I friend of mine sold me his car a few days ago (he’s 65) it’s a q plate mk 4 escort cab he’s owned the car over 20 years! The car is fully rs turbo (loom engine box body kit etc) mot expired 3 years ago it’s done 45 miles or something like 3-4 years.
Aparently it was put on a q as it was reshelled in 93 as it was a cat d as what I can see there’s no id on the car (no plate on the front cross member) the thing is I want to tidy this up but I’m not sure if really it’s worth it financially Body work is sound no rust but needs a complete paint as laquer has gone and it does have a few scuffs here and there also it has the half leather recaro interior this is also in need of sorting out releather etc... everything inside works but it’s all just a little slow electric windows etc wipers the engine sounds fine yes it puffs out a bit of smoke when started for a first time but doesn’t smoke after that it also boosts up well for a old motor! What would you do with the car it’s the q plate that does worry me a little?

I had a Q plate escos 18 years ago. It was stolen recovered and ended up in Northern Ireland. They couldn't prove it's age or ownership so it was Q plated. Never had a issue insuring it but it was at a hugely reduced value. The bonus is that a Q plate is regarded as pre 1973 so is exempt from MOT emissions tests. Or at least it was.

you can't. The whole point of a q plate is to show it has a dubious past etc. You're not allowed to put private plates on them

That would mean your friend bought it as a q plate then?...could it be its been rung with a gen rst lol always Thot q plates got stamped in inner wing at strut tops ....if not u have an unstamped shell....there are ways ov telling if it's 86spec shell or 90 spec she'll