"Been on the register since 2003"
Presumably a cat C/D or previously stolen or some such.
That said though, if it's solid and been repaired properly, and you're not arsed about all that concourse and anal history business, it's a cheap way to get an Escort Cosworth. Can't say I'd be put off buying a cat C/D too much so long as the price was right, but then I'm not that anal about things like that

Gold wheels look bloody shite on that colour though!