Our verdict
If you want a county-cricket-club lawn at home, this is one of two ways to get there (the other is the Allett Liberty 35 cordless). The Stirling 17 is a real cylinder mower with interchangeable cassettes — it sets a tone for the lawn that no rotary can match. Wildly overkill for 99% of UK gardens.
Pros & cons
Pros
- Genuine bowling-green stripe quality
- Honda GCV — bulletproof
- British-built in Stamford
- Cassette system lets you change to scarifier or brush
Cons
- Cylinder mowers won't cut grass longer than ~50mm
- Heavy at 52kg
- Massive premium over rotary alternatives
- Niche audience
Full specs
| Type | Petrol |
|---|---|
| Cut width | 43 cm |
| Engine / Power | Honda GCV160 |
| Weight | 52 kg |
| Deck | Steel |
| Self-propelled | Yes |
| Rear roller | Yes (stripes) |
| Mulching | No |
| Cutting heights | 6 positions |
| Bag capacity | 55 L |
| Suited to lawn | Medium |
| Noise level | 95 dB |
Buying second-hand
Used Stirlings are rare and hold value — £700-1100 depending on age and cassette inventory. Check cylinder blade alignment (a feel for it is worth more than a measurement), ask which cassettes are included, and budget £100-150 for a professional regrind every 2-3 years.
Where to buy the Allett Stirling 17
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Repair-cost reference
UK 2026 ballpark prices for the parts you're most likely to need on this mower. OEM is dealer-genuine; aftermarket is what you'll find on eBay or generic small-engine suppliers. Use these to sense-check any quote and to negotiate on used buys.
| Part / job | OEM | Aftermarket |
|---|---|---|
|
Replacement 43cm blade
Annual sharpening is free; replace when bent or cracked.
|
£24–£32 | £8–£12 |
|
Genuine Honda foam air filter
|
£18 | £8 |
|
NGK spark plug BPR6ES
|
£14 | £5 |
|
Cam belt (genuine Honda)
|
£35 | £18 |
|
Drive cable replacement
Stretches at 5–8 years. 30-minute DIY fit.
|
£18–£28 | £8 |
|
Rear-roller bearing kit (pair)
Replace if you hear clicking; affects stripe quality.
|
£24 | £12 |
Fair-offer calculator
Tell us about a specific used listing for the Allett Stirling 17 you're looking at. We'll compute a fair offer range from our used-market data and the condition signals you provide.
Calculations are guidance, not gospel. Used-market prices vary by region (Scotland is typically 10–15% cheaper than the South-East), season (October cheapest, March most expensive), and seller motivation.
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